05/12/2006
The Madridista expedition to Kyiv includes nine youth teamers

Photo: Raduga meet Ronaldo at Kiev

Adán, Javi García, Torres, Sergio, De la Red, Nieto, Mata, Adrián González and Borja Valero are nine of the 21 players that have traveled to Kyiv. The team, as well as President Ramón Calderón and several Directors, left Madrid's Barajas International Airport at 10 am CET and are scheduled to arrive in the Ukraine capital at 3 pm EET (GMT+2).

As expected, Fabio Capello has called on the youth system for Wednesday's Champions League match against Dynamo Kyiv. Will several players recovering from injury, a guaranteed spot in the Last 16 no matter what happens on Wednesday, and Saturday's important League match against Sevilla around the corner, the Italian manager has included nine Castilla players on the squad list. Adán, Javi García, Torres, Sergio, De la Red, Nieto, Mata, Adrián González and Borja Valero all form part of the first team's expedition.
Raúl and Emerson did not travel with the team and remain in Madrid. The Brazilian, suffering from an anterior tibial muscle problem, boasts of being able to watch the match from home. Raúl, meanwhile, has a contracture of the left quadriceps and will save his energy for next Saturday's crucial clash versus Sevilla.

Cannavaro, Guti, Helguera, Reyes and Pavón are all recovering from injury and have stayed home and will not have to weather the cold temperatures at the Valeri Lobanovskyi Stadium, which should be the greatest challenge for the Whites. The team will hold a training session this evening at 6 pm, at which time they will get their first feel for the turf conditions.

SQUAD LIST:

Goalkeepers: Casillas, Diego López and Adán.

Defenders: Salgado, Mejía, Roberto Carlos, Raúl Bravo, Torres and Sergio.

Midfielders: Beckham, Diarra, Robinho, Javi García, De la Red, Cassano, Nieto and Adrián González.

Forwards: Van Nistelrooy, Ronaldo and Mata.

NOT CALLED UP: Cicinho, Guti, Helguera, Cannavaro, Reyes (injured), Ramos (suspended for card accumulation), Raúl and Emerson (coaching decision).

05.12.2006 19:20 +0300
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