After a pulsating and controversial win over Manchester United in the last-16 of the Champions League, it would almost be an anti-climax if Real Madrid were to be knocked out by Galatasaray in the quarterfinals.
On paper, it should be Real Madrid who walk out of the two-legged tie with their heads up and contemplating another semi-final.
The Spanish champions were given one of the kindest draws available, but the Turkish giants are certainly not going to lie down and play dead, particularly with the likes of Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba in their side.
The game will also feature the top two scorers in the Champions League this season - Cristiano Ronaldo and Burak Yilmaz. Of course there is no comparison between the two, but in Yilmaz Galatasaray have their goalscoring weapon, capable of scoring if given even a sniff of a chance.
Real will also face another problem, an issue they haven't sorted out all season, if Galatasaray change their tactics. Jose Mourinho's side is at their best when they are allowed to counter-attack at pace, not when they are given the majority of the possession and asked to unlock a compact defense - that is more archrivals Barcelona's style.
United, in both legs, showed Real's deficiencies when they are given the ball, but Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim insisted his side would stick to their possession style.
"There's not much point talking about Real Madrid," Terim told Marca. "Everyone knows what they're about. Even a six-year-old knows how Real plays.
"(But) we're going to play in a way that will make people proud and earn everyone's respect. I refuse to change our style -- we aren't afraid of anyone.
"We'll look to take the game to them, keep the ball and pick our way through any gaps they leave us.
"It's going to be a lot of fun. Even if I lose, I intend to play the right way. If we give a good account of ourselves at the Bernabeu, I'll be proud of my players."
If indeed the Turkish side plan to play in that manner, it will fall right into Real and Ronaldo's hands. The more Galatasaray attack, the more the chances of Real leaving the Bernabeu with a big lead in their favor.
"The game against Galatasaray will be wide open and very balanced," he told the club's official website. "We have to play well, like we do at home in the Champions.
"We know that it's a squad that also attacks a lot and that's good, because our chances of winning increase when the opponent plays us one-on-one."
Real do not have any injury worries with skipper Iker Casillas unlikely to be involved despite returning to training after recovering from a hand injury.
Galatasaray president Unal Aysal has promised his entire squad €25,000 (£21,000, $32,000) each if they manage to progress past the quarterfinals by knocking Real Madrid out; however, Mourinho and co. will look to knock the stuffing out of the tie with a big win in the first leg.
Expected lineups: Real Madrid: Diego Lopez; Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Coentrao; Khedira, Alonso; Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo; Higuain.
Galatasaray: Muslera; Eboue, Kaya, Nounkeu, Riera; Altintop, Melo, Inan; Sneijder; Drogba, Yilmaz.
Prediction: 3-1 to Real Madrid
