Raúl fearful of Dynamo disaster

After losing on Matchday 1, striker Raúl González is concerned that failing to beat FC Dynamo Kyiv tonight could spell disaster for Real Madrid CF.

Slippery start
The Spanish giants lost 2-0 at Olympique Lyonnais in their opening 2006/07 UEFA Champions League Group E fixture, and are eager to make amends as Ukrainian side Dynamo visit the Santiago Bernabéu. However, Raúl is only too aware of what a slip in front of their home fans could cost his side. "After the defeat in Lyon, if we can't win it's really going to complicate the situation," he said. "Qualification for the next phase would be very difficult. Everything depends on us. Dynamo have had stronger teams but they can still cause us a lot of problems."

Making amends
Dynamo got off to a miserable start on Matchday 1, with a 4-1 defeat at home to FC Steaua Bucuresti. They may be determined to make amends in Madrid, but Raúl is hoping Madrid will proved too hot to handle. "We've been doing well in the league but we know we can give more," he said. "The fact that we're joint top of the league, even though it's still quite early in the season, is filling us with hope. We played very well against [Real] Betis [Balompié] at the weekend. We kept the ball for long periods."

Goalscoring drought
However it is goals that win games, and having not scored for Madrid since October 2005, the 29-year-old could really do with rediscovering the form that once marked him out as one of the most exciting young forwards in European football. "The only thing I have to do is train hard," he said. "I feel great, I feel I have more rhythm to my game, but things could always be better so I must work harder. The goal will come. In my position there are always chances to score. I am a better player now than ever. The goals will surely come."

'A new beginning'
"We all know that this is a new team and it's a new beginning," he added. "The team are progressing and hopefully in October and November we will begin to meet the standards that everybody expects. We are quite happy but we still have a lot to give. Victories give you confidence and so our morale is high."