<span class="titolo">Lazio Game Will Be Like A Final - Van Nistelrooy</span></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> <span class="sommario">Ruud van Nistelrooy believes that Real Madrid's encounter with Lazio in the Champions League on Tuesday will be akin to a cup final as the winner will progress to the next round.</span></p> The Dutch striker declared himself fit on Monday after pulling a muscle against Athletic Bilbao and is relishing the prospect of the European encounter in the Bernabéu. Madrid need a point to go through, while the visiting Italians require a victory if they are to leapfrog their hosts and make it into the draw. "It will be a very special game, much like a final," Van Nistelrooy explained.. "It will be one of those matches where anything can happen. "We have to try to play as we always do, with a lot of confidence and above all with enthusiasm. We have a great opportunity to advance." Van Nistelrooy recognised that Madrid will face a physical battle and warned that they must watch out for Lazio's powerful strikers. "Lazio are a very physical side at the back, and up front they have a lot of quality with Goran Pandev and Tommaso Rocchi," he continued. "They are a strong team whose players play for each other. I remember in our last game against them, they had a few chances to win the match. There's no doubt we'll have to play well on Tuesday." Finally, the 31-year-striker looked ahead to the prospect of trying to beat Lazio's 43-year-old goalkeeper, Marco Ballotta. "I have a lot of respect for him," Van Nistelrooy added. "I'm sure I won't last to the same level when I'm 43. He's an example for everyone."</div></p>
