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Question: Do you enjoy the tension of knock-out football? Yes, the matches are always especially hard. And then you have the factor of playing a game away and a game at home, this generates a lot of excitement. What’s more playing in the Champions League is always a big motivation. We have to be really up for these games.
Question: What memories do you have of Zidane’s goal in the final in Glasgow? I’ve got good memories as I was preparing for the 2002 World Cup and was watching this final because there were Brazil internationals like Roberto Carlos and Lúcio, who was playing for Bayer. We were watching when Zidane scored this amazing goal and Madrid were champions. It was a very special, exciting game and a final where Zizou showed his quality.
Question: Is Mourinho the best coach you’ve had? He’s certainly one of the best I’ve had. I learned a little bit from every coach. I’m learning a lot with Mourinho, so for this reason I think he’s definitely one of the best coaches I’ve had.
Question: There seems to be a great spirit amongst the players... Yes, the dressing room is really good, the team is really together and I think in the end this is what can make the difference because you can’t win a league title or Champions League with just 11 players or with 2 players who are stars. You win a league or Champions League with 15-18 players. This is what makes the group strong. You can see out on the pitch that Madrid is very strong, not just 1 or 2 players but the whole group.
Question: Why do you think there’s a great understanding between you and Özil? It’s a pleasure for me to play with Özil because he’s a great footballer. I think it’s easy to play with him as he’s very intelligent. We know each other’s moves, we know when one is one position, the other needs to take up another, always occupying spaces. So, it’s very easy to play with him as he’s very intelligent.
Question: What is CSKA’s main threat? For me, it’s the whole team. They are very fast players who can make the difference. CSKA made things difficult for us in Moscow and I think we have to be on our guard because it’s a team who can create a lot of problems.
Question: What are the keys to going through to the next round? We are going out to win the game, irrespective of the result of the first match. Madrid always go out to play this way. We are going for the win, and I think the Bernabéu will be a key factor. We have our fans...people supporting the team for the whole game makes the difference. On top of this we have to play our game with intensity, creativity, and with everything we have to make sure we go through to the next round.
Question: Who are the favourites to win the Champions League? We are now in a phase where we’ve seen big teams going through the rounds. I think Madrid, Milan and Barcelona have a great chance of going all the way to the final, but I think Madrid have a really good chance this year to do something big in the Champions League.
Question: Would you bet on getting through to the quarter-finals? I always bet on Madrid, because of my teammates, because of this team. We are confident of qualifying but respecting CSKA, knowing they are a team that can make things difficult. �