Helguera sees threat to Real from Juventus efficiency

For the Spanish public and media it is a contest between good and evil, the beautiful game and the spoiling one. Appropriately the forces of good will be represented at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu tonight by the pure white shirts of Real Madrid, those of darkness by the predominantly black ones of Juventus.

To Ivan Helguera this portrayal of tonight's European Cup semi-final first-leg is not only simplistic it is mistaken. The Spanish international may play for Real but the professional within him considers results ahead of artistic impression.

"Maybe the Italian sides [Milan and Internazionale contest the other semi tomorrow] are not spectacular but they are there on merit," he said. "People have a go at Italian football but I wish it was three Spanish clubs in the semi-finals and one Italian, even if the three Spanish clubs played badly and the Italian one well. The way Juventus play is efficient. Italy have won three World Cups, Spain none. That is what it is all about."

Having watched Juventus, with 10 men, defeat Barcelona in the Nou Camp to reach this stage Helguera knows Serie A's champions-elect are likely to give Real a stern test, probably more so than Manchester United despite the latter drubbing Juventus in Turin in February.

Since then Alessandro Del Piero has returned to fitness and inspired Juventus to a revival of form. Tonight, though, they have Edgar Davids, Paolo Montero and Alessio Tacchinardi suspended. Another defensively-orientated performance is expected, though Marcello Lippi must be tempted to probe Real where they are weakest. In the last five matches they have conceded 15 goals and though the coach, Vicente del Bosque, declared himself unconcerned, Saturday's 5-1 home defeat by Real Mallorca has shaken everyone.

Del Bosque admitted that Lippi's observation that any team so beaten was "not in good health" was a "fair comment". The question in the tapas bars of the Plaza Mayor is what will Del Bosque do about it? Fernando Hierro, the veteran defender, was the Bernabeu's scapegoat but he is sacrosanct. Steve McManaman may be Del Bosque's. It would be grossly unfair, since Real were only 2-1 down when he was withdrawn, but in a dressing-room dominated by Los Galacticos life is rarely fair.

The tie has a personal edge for Zinedine Zidane, who was prised from La Vecchia Signora ("The Old Lady", as Juve are known) to join Real two years ago, and Ronaldo, whose final match for Internazionale last May was a tearful one after Juventus snatched the title away. Ronaldo, who has responded to Raul's absence with appendix problems with six goals in five games, said any victory "would be a good one".

Helguera, perhaps thinking of the defence he shores up, said "only 6-0 would make me feel comfortable" in next week's return but "3-0 would allow me to feel more relaxed".

Real Madrid (probable; 4-2-3-1): Casillas; Michel Salgado, Hierro, Helguera, Roberto Carlos; Makelele, McManaman; Figo, Guti, Zidane; Ronaldo.

Juventus (probable; 4-2-3-1): Buffon; Thuram, Ferrara, Iuliano, Pessotto; Tudor, Conte; Camoranesi, Nedved, Del Piero; Trezeguet.

Referee: T Hauge (Norway).