MADRID - Fabio Cannavaro has plenty of reasons for hoping Real Madrid can turn around their European tie against Roma on Wednesday - not least because the Champions League is the main prize missing from his collection.
Cannavaro has won numerous domestic and European titles during his playing career at Napoli, Parma, Internazionale, Juventus and Real, while in 2006 he captained Italy to World Cup glory in Germany.
The 34-year-old centre-back also picked up the FIFA World Player of the Year and European Player of the Year awards in 2006, but he has yet to taste success in the European Cup.
"The game against Roma is crucial because we want to continue in the Champions League, the fans want the 10th (European Cup title) and us to get it," said Cannavaro.
"I have Ligas, Scudettos, cups ... but I lack the Champions League."
Real will need to overcome a 2-1 deficit from the first leg if they are to progress past Italian outfit Roma at the Bernabeu.
Should they manage to do that, and then go onto reach the final, Cannavaro admits he would prefer to avoid another side from his homeland in Moscow.
"I would not like an Italian opponent in the final," he said. "Nor Barcelona."
Real coach Bernd Schuster has a number of selection issues ahead of Wednesdays last-16 second leg, with Dutchman Arjen Robben definitely missing after suffering an ankle injury during Saturdays 3-2 Primera Liga win over Recreativo Huelva.
Robben, who looked one of Real`s most dangerous players during the first leg in Rome, could be sidelined for up to six weeks, meaning he might also miss both quarter-final dates if Real progress.
Christoph Metzelder is also absent through injury as is the suspended Sergio Ramos, while there are major question marks against Dutch duo Wesley Sneijder and Ruud van Nistelrooy, with Spanish media reporting that the latter will not be fit to play.
The good news is that Guti and Michel Salgado are back in training, while Robinho is pushing hard for a starting spot after impressing on his return to action against Recre.
The Brazilian had been sidelined since mid-February with an abdominal muscle injury, but he scored twice after appearing as a second-half substitute in Huelva to earn his side a 3-2 win over hosts Recre.
Without the in-form winger, Real had lost three successive games against Real Betis, Roma and Getafe, and Cannavaro for one is glad Robinho is back.
"Robinho is a spectacular player, he has a lot of quality," Cannavaro told Radio Marca.
"When he has the desire, when he wants to score a goal, he does it. He is the guy who can decide a game.
"The blackest moment for Madrid has been when Robinho has been injured. He is a key player for the team."
