Real Madrid

José Mourinho is looking forward to his team starting their Champions League campaign. The coach spoke in UEFA.com and analysed group D, perhaps the most complicated in the current edition of Europe's top competition: “We're talking about a group with four champions from four strong countries, especially Man City and Borussia Dortmund. Ajax is also no easy team. The objective isn't to win all six matches, but to qualify. The points will be a little spread”.

The Real Madrid coach made reference to his team's history in the European Cup and the way the Whites should go into the competition in order to increase their list of titles. “Real Madrid is the ultimate Champions club because of its history and statistics. The only way to go after our tenth Champions League title is to play well, plan well and be highly motivated to win. But football is beautiful because of how unpredictable it can become and because sometimes the best team doesn't win”.

The Portuguese coach analysed the last two Champions League seasons and the advance Real Madrid has made since he joined the club. “When I arrived Real Madrid wasn't top-seeded in the group draw, it was in tenth or eleventh place in the ranking. In these past two years we've played the semi-finals and so we're once again top-seeded”.

Lastly, he praised the qualities of this season's two new incorporations to the team: “We've opted for a small squad, but with versatile players who offer the necessary stability. Modric gives us all this. He's a quality player on a par with the big talents out there. I know Essien well and his experience will serve us well in defense”.