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Real Madrid look to turn it around against Dynamo

Real Madrid's David Beckham warms up during a training session in Madrid yesterday. Real Madrid face Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League today. PHOTO: AP

Real Madrid's 2-0 loss at Lyon was not the way it intended to start its European Champions League campaign -- especially since it started the same way last year.

But Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello thinks it's a different side that will host Dynamo Kiev in the second round of group games today.

"We are better than before," Capello said. "Our organization is improving and we are playing the ball more easily. You can see this in our games but we still have room for improvement."

Since its defeat at Lyon on Sept. 13 -- where it also lost 3-0 in the opening round of last season's tournament -- Real Madrid has won two league games, including a 1-0 win over Real Betis on Saturday.

However, it will be without Brazilian defender Cicinho, who ruptured a ligament in his right knee Saturday and will be out for at least six months. Additionally, Brazilian striker Ronaldo is almost recovered from knee surgery, but isn't likely to make his comeback until next week.

Midfielder David Beckham is doubtful with tonsillitis, and has not started Real Madrid's last two matches -- the first time he's been sat out the start of consecutive matches since he joined the club in 2003. Madrid hasn't won a trophy since then -- its worst streak since the early 1950s.

In Group E's other match today, 1986 champion Steaua Bucharest hosts Lyon. The Romanian side beat Dynamo Kiev 4-1 in its opening match and Lyon is wary.

"Bucharest is a team which is well organized and which is very fast in attack," Lyon goalkeeper Gregory Coupet said.

In today's other matches, it's Benfica v Manchester United and Celtic v Copenhagen in Group F; CSKA Moscow v Hamburg and Arsenal v Porto in Group G; and AEK Athens v Anderlecht and Lille v AC Milan in Group H.
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