Butragueño: 'The second leg is at the Bernabéu and that could be an advantage'
“They will be two fantastic games for the fans', said the club's Director of Institutional Relations of the tie against Chelsea.
Real Madrid are set to take on Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals. The club's Director of Institutional Relations, Emilio Butragueño, was in attendance at the draw in Nyon and offered his assessment of the tie: “We're delighted to be here in Nyon, back at the draw in person after two years away and of course, among the best teams in Europe. We all know about Chelsea. They won the Champions League last year and we played them in the semi-final. They are a strong side, very solid and clear about what they want to do. The return leg is at the Bernabéu and that can always be an advantage, especially if we pick up a decent result in the first leg. We're eager to try and make it into the semi-finals".
First leg behind closed doors
“We're focusing on ourselves, making sure the team goes into the game in good shape, with all the players available. Other elements which have less to do with the game, we'll just take them as they come”.
Entertaining game
“You never know in football, we'll find that out at the end of the ties. They will be two fantastic games for the fans. We're two teams with an attacking approach who like to take control of games. The fans will enjoy them and we'll see who ends up being the stronger team. We need to approach it well and prepare diligently, ensure the players are full of confidence and have the fans behind us, well aware of who the opposition are".
First leg behind closed doors
“We're focusing on ourselves, making sure the team goes into the game in good shape, with all the players available. Other elements which have less to do with the game, we'll just take them as they come”.
Entertaining game
“You never know in football, we'll find that out at the end of the ties. They will be two fantastic games for the fans. We're two teams with an attacking approach who like to take control of games. The fans will enjoy them and we'll see who ends up being the stronger team. We need to approach it well and prepare diligently, ensure the players are full of confidence and have the fans behind us, well aware of who the opposition are".
Potential semi-final clash
“It's a long way away, there's a lot more to come before that... We have to maintain our focus on the quarters and I hope we can start thinking about the semis from the 12th or 13th. Thinking about it beforehand makes no sense, but every tie is very tough for all the teams involved and whoever makes it to the semi-finals will be top quality opposition”
Round of 16 against PSG
“That night was a huge boost for all madridismo. A very deep sense of pride but also a reflection of our history, which tells us this should be a reference point for our future goals. We have to try and create a similar atmosphere and make sure madridismo is proud of the team at the end of the night. Everyone knows what this competition means to us. We're consistently up against the best teams in the world and it's very difficult".
“It's a long way away, there's a lot more to come before that... We have to maintain our focus on the quarters and I hope we can start thinking about the semis from the 12th or 13th. Thinking about it beforehand makes no sense, but every tie is very tough for all the teams involved and whoever makes it to the semi-finals will be top quality opposition”
Round of 16 against PSG
“That night was a huge boost for all madridismo. A very deep sense of pride but also a reflection of our history, which tells us this should be a reference point for our future goals. We have to try and create a similar atmosphere and make sure madridismo is proud of the team at the end of the night. Everyone knows what this competition means to us. We're consistently up against the best teams in the world and it's very difficult".