"The Champions League is especially significant for us this year. We know the fans are especially awaiting the Champions League final at the Bernabeu. We feel great responsibility, but we are also very excited about reaching that far and winning the tournament."

"It isn't easy to win the Champions League. We know we must live up to the challenge because the team hasn't lived up to it in recent years. We'll have to prove we can be there early on in the competition. Being eliminated in the Last 16 five years in a row is too much for a club like Real Madrid."

"Despite negative results in the competition, Real Madrid's prestige remains intact. We have to make a loud statement early on."

"The key is not to have a bad day in a knock-out stage match. That was they key at Liverpool. The smallest mistake can be very costly in the Champions League."

"This is the greatest title a club player can aspire to win. I don't need Xabi Alonso to tell me how special it is to win the Champions League."

"I'm sure English teams will be very strong. Barcelona will also play tough. So will Inter Milan and so will we. We'll see what happens. There's always surprises that determine who will end up winning."

"Our squad makes us one of the favourites to win the title, but it will be complicated to reach the end." 
 

"People believe we will definitely take the first three points at stake, but we'll have to play well against Zurich because we know we will have a hard time against Marseille and Milan. We can't afford to relax."

"The fact that an opponent hasn't had a good run in its national league doesn't mean it won't be tough to beat. That's what happened with Liverpool last season. We qualified as group leaders and we had to face Real Madrid. We'll have to do our homework and dominate in our group."

"I've faced Olympique Marseille two consecutive years already and I know they are dangerous. Milan are a prestigious side, but they will have to prove their worth on the pitch."

"It's too soon for us to feel anxiety or great responsibility. We'll have to wait for the following months to unfold, but the team is evidently anxious to win the championship."

"It is essential to use a rotation system nowadays because we have to play many games, both at club and international level. It is impossible to perform at the highest level all the time."

"I won the Euro 2008 with Spain and I'm lacking a European title at club level."

"It will be hard for us not to win a game as  long as we do a good job in defence because our attacking front is lethal. You could tell scoring was just a matter of time for us against Espanyol."

"Barcelona as currently a more solid team because they've been playing together for longer. Real Madrid are a very talented side still under construction. We need time to fully adapt and bond."