APOEL FC's task against Real Madrid CF has become harder still with the news they will be without defender Marcelo Oliveira and striker Ivan Tričkovski for their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg.

Beaten 3-0 in the opening instalment against the Liga leaders on Tuesday, APOEL will go to the Santiago Bernabéu next Wednesday with a mountain to climb. Oliveira started the first leg in Nicosia – his eighth appearance in the competition proper this season – but was forced off after just 13 minutes. Further examination revealed ruptured knee ligaments and he will require surgery, forcing him out of action for four to six months.

Tričkovski lasted the 90 minutes against José Mourinho's team. He broke his hand during the match, however, and following an operation today he will be unavailable for at least a month.