UEFA Champions League preview: Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund

Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria believes Saturday’s triumph over Atletico can serve as a springboard in their Champions League semi-final.

Madrid were humbled 4-1 by Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their semi-final tie, with prolific marksman Robert Lewandowski scoring all four goals in a memorable performance.

Jose Mourinho’s side returned to winning ways at the weekend, edging city rivals Atletico 2-1 in their battle for second position in La Liga.

And di Maria, who netted the match-winning goal, believes the derby win can be the catalyst for redemption against Dortmund at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.

“Winning this match is extra motivation and will help us to be at our best on Tuesday,” the 25-year-old told reporters. “We do not take that match as lost.”

The nine-time Champions League winners’ home form in the competition is cause for optimism, with just two defeats from their last 19 games at the Bernabeu.

Real’s home record domestically is even better, having not lost a game in 26 fixtures, a run spanning back to December 2011, when they lost to arch-rivals Barcelona.

Despite the positivity making its way out of the Madrid camp, their recent form against Dortmund is concerning.

In the pair’s three meetings this season, Juergen Klopp’s men have won two and drawn one.

Real were totally outplayed in all three games, including the 2-2 draw at the Bernabeu in November, with an 89th-minute goal from Mesut Oezil salvaging a point in the group-stage clash.

Meanwhile, Dortmund made 10 changes to the team that defeat Real but they still managed to beat Fortuna Duesseldorf 2-1 on Saturday.

Lewandowski, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Marco Reus were given limited minutes at the weekend, leaving the Bundesliga outfit in prime condition to book their ticket to Wembley in May.