Obviously my dossier on Barcelona did not help us in the slightest before the first game, but never disheartened, your Spanish correspondent is back with an in-depth look at Spain's "other" top notch outfit, REAL MADRID, who, we will all remember, were the inspiration for Don Revie, at least as far as the team colours were concerned. It is likely they will play in "Black" at Elland Road, similar to the Scumchester away strip, so what more incentive do we need. I'll try to be a bit more objective this time, although it may be a bit difficult to guess the exact line-up for the game. I very nearly got the Barcelona line-up correct, so I'd guess I won't be far out this time either.

Goalkeepers

CASILLAS, ILLGNER, CÉSAR SÁNCHEZ

Defenders

HIERRO, IVÁN CAMPO, HELGUERA, ROBERTO CARLOS, JULIO CESAR, SALGADO, KARANKA

Midfield

CELADES, CONCEIÇAO, FIGO, GEREMI, GUTI, MAKELELE, MC MANAMAN, SANCHIS

Forwards

MORIENTES, MUNITIS, RAÚL, SAVIO, SOLARI, TOTE

Madrid are most likely to line up with a classic 4-4-2 formation, composed of, more or less, the following players.

This formation, at least with the above players, is very attack minded, and Del Bosque, the manager, will probably sacrifice at least one of his midfield players, probably Makelele, move Helguera into midfield in a holding role and, with a bit of luck, play Ivan Campo as central defender. I say with luck, because this player must be one of the worst players I have seen in top class competition. He did have a good game in the final against Valencia, but believe me, he's shite.

However, it's more likely that Karanka will play, and he's better but no great shakes either. The other possible changes he might make are; 1) Use McManaman instead of Savio, and let him have free role, leaving Roberto Carlos to control the whole of the left flank. 2) Play either Guti or Munitis behind a lone striker Raul...he's done it a few times, mainly due to Morientes injuries.

Here's a brief "look" at the key players:

Ilker Casillas, 20 years old, is the "Robbo" of Madrid, but with more top-flight games under his belt. He is probably the best keeper in Spain, is a terrific shot stopper, and good in a one-on-one situation, but has the same flaw as most Spanish keepers, he "flaps" at crosses and his positional sense from free-kicks and corners leaves a lot to be desired. Leeds could capitalise on this, as with Dutruel the Barcelona keeper, if Hartey can improve on his latest efforts, and Lee keeps striking the ball as he is at present.

Michel Salgado, not a brilliant defender, but likes to get forward, is fast, and can cause trouble; we'll have to keep an eye on him, and get in behind him. In the CL, Geremi appears to have won the manager's confidence, so may play instead at right back. Again, not a brilliant defender, and we can get in behind him.

Fernando Hierro, has been, deliberate wording here, the most influential Madrid, and Spanish, defender over the last 10 years. You will have read that he scored 2 goals the other Sunday, and the goal for Spain against Holland, but the amount of time on the ball that Madrid were allowed was incredible. He is still dangerous from set pieces, and is a tough defender. He can "lose it" under pressure, hence the "headbutt" on Jimmy Floyd in the International. Smithy can, and should, wind him up. Injuries and age have caught up with him to a certain extent. He has slowed down considerably, and I have no doubt that Smithy and Viduka will cause him, and the rest, no amount of trouble.

Ivan Helguera. Elegant defender, can also play in midfield, and probably will. He's deceptively quick, good technique, and good in the air, but he's not a great marker, tends to lose players in and around the box. He may fail to pick up Bowyer's late runs.

Roberto Carlos, is for me the key to Madrid's game. Against Scum first and later Valencia, he pushed Beckham and Mendieta so deep into their own halves that they were not dangerous at all. Add that to Redondo's control and Raul's flashes of brilliance, and that was 3/4 of Madrid's success last year.

Ivan Campo. As I said before, he has got to be one of the worst central defenders in the top flight. He's hard, bordering on dirty, and can win the ball with his two footed lunges, but can't pass for toffee, and is deceptively SLOW. If he plays Viduka and Smithy can cause the Madrid defence all sorts of problems.

Luis Figo .Not a lot that can be said about this guy. For me he's the best player in World Football, on his day. He carried Barcelona for 2-3 years, and is just beginning to show some good form for Madrid. He will need careful watching, does have a tendency to drop back and look for the ball...and that's where we have to put in the challenges, away from our penalty area. Matteo and Hartey will have to be particularly vigilant with Figo around.

Celades. Ex Barcelona as well. Holds the ball well, plays short passes and is always available. He is not very strong, and does not tackle well. Bakke, and whoever else plays with him, should give him plenty of trouble. It's also possible that Makelele will play in central midfield. He is quicker than Celades, but gives the ball away more, and is also not very strong. We can cause him problems as well, particularly with the Leeds pressing game.

Jose Maria Gutierrez, or just Guti, has a great left foot, he looks somewhat like Fernando Redondo, and plays like him, but he's not as strong. Great going forward, not so good getting back. The central midfield area is where Leeds can come out on top, if the guys are up for it on the day.

Savio has always been a particular favourite of mine, but if Del Bosque goes for a more defensive formation, then I don't believe he will play. If he does, Gary Kelly will have to be very wary. This guy is quick, dribbles well, can cross and also shoot. I'm glad their manager is not reading this, otherwise he'd definitely pick him. He will probably favour Steve Macca, and give him a roving role in midfield. I believe this will be less dangerous, and would leave their left flank somewhat exposed, except that they have Roberto Carlos there. If Macca plays, Kelly and Bowyer can do damage to Madrid.

Morientes, again may not play, depending on the formation chosen. If he does he is a goalscorer, but he isn't that quick and his first touch sometimes lets him down. His form has suffered after his return from injury, and I would not expect Woody, Mills or Radebe to be unduly bothered by him. However, like I said, he will be in the box when balls are played in, so we'd have to keep an eye on him.

Raúl has been the Madrid "superstar" for the last couple of years, and appears to like playing with Figo (who wouldn't?). However, at the moment he couldn't hit a barn door from five yards. He's missing a ton of chances and his confidence has suffered. Having said that, he's too good a player not to come out of his bad spell. I just pray that it's not against us on Wednesday.

Other players that may figure in the game are: Munitis, who is lightening quick, a "pocket battleship", but his technique lets him down. They may bring him on in the 2nd half to take advantage of tired legs; Conceiçao, may come on, right midfield, reasonable player but lacking in confidence at present, and the manager doesn't appear to like him.

I believe Dacourt is suspended, which is a real shame, because our strength in central midfield could be a key area for us on Wednesday. I would also expect Viduka and Smithy to cause massive problems at the heart of the Madrid defence. Casillas has been "winning" games for Madrid with some Robbo like saves lately and none of their fullbacks are playing particularly well.

Their front two are not scoring and they are relying on goals from midfield, particularly Guti, and an inspired Figo. The fairly obvious dangers to Leeds are: Figo, of course, Raul, if he regains his confidence, Savio down their left, Guti coming forward with the ball, and free kicks from either Roberto Carlos or Fernando Hierro. The weaknesses in this Madrid side are in defence and central midfield, and they have got out of gaol several times through the brilliance of a few individuals.

Our confidence may not be sky-high after the West Ham result, but this is a golden opportunity to severely damage Madrid's chances of progressing in the CL. They will get better as the season progresses, so now we have the chance to dent their hopes, that should be grabbed with both hands. Leeds must not show them too much respect but be vigilant of Figo in particular. If he doesn't perform, their game will suffer badly.

I'm confident of a result, and looking forward to another "historic" European performance.

Let's do it again......the future is WHITE ..........Marchin' on together.