Rea Madrid BVB 2014
Cristiano Ronaldo hopes to be effective Tuesday against Borussia Dortmund after suffering a knee injury in the opening leg of the UCL quarters. Reuters

Despite owning a three-goal advantage heading into the second and final leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals against Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid fans, players and higher-ups remain concerned with the overall health of Cristiano Ronaldo. The 2013 FIFA Ballon d’Or Award winner was absent from Los Blancos most recent victory against La Liga rival Real Sociedad due to a knee injury and it is unknown if he’ll be ready to take the pitch at full strength Tuesday afternoon in Germany. Suffering the damage in Madrid’s 3-0 opening leg victory over BVB last week, the 29-year-old forward may be forced out of the line-up, a decision head coach Carlo Ancelotti says will come prior to the match.

“To make the decision that he plays will we see today's practice,” the Real Madrid boss said ahead of Tuesday’s match. “If he's fine, comfortable and doesn't have pain, then we will make the decision without taking any kind of risk. If he feels 100 percent, he will play, but if not, he won't. All the matches Cristiano has played it's because he was fine. We have never taken risks with him or with any player. Cristiano and I think the same -- he should always play when he is fit, but when he does not feel right he cannot play. He is a very good professional, knows his body very well. When he does not feel right he says it, without any problem, as happened for the game against Real Sociedad.”

While Ronaldo hopes to be fit for the second leg, Borussia Dortmund star Robert Lewandowski will be happy to be on the field once again after missing BVB’s last UCL match due to suspension. Though coming back from a 3-0 deficit against a Real Madrid team that continues to play at a high level will certainly be challenging, the 25-year-old striker believes his team can mirror a feat achieved just a season ago. Thanks to Lewandowski’s four-goal effort in the 2012-2013 UCL semifinal first leg against Los Blancos, Borussia Dortmund was able to move into the championship match and the Polish scorer feels his side is capable of a repeat performance.

“If we can get an early goal, then there's a small chance,” he said. “We mustn't be afraid. We have a minimal chance. It would be crazy to think that I could score four goals again, but we are always dangerous in Dortmund. I was a bit sad not to play in Madrid but I still believe that we have a slim chance. We have to be aggressive. We must seize the opportunity provided to us. With the supporters behind us, anything is possible.”

Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund: DATE, TIME & VIEWING INFO

DATE: Tuesday, April 8

TIME: 2:45pm, ET

TV COVERAGE: FOX Sports 2 / FOX Deportes

LIVE STREAM: CLICK HERE

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