Raul: Playing At Anfield Will Bring Out Real Madrid’s Best
Real Madrid have a daunting task ahead of them in the Champions League as they attempt to cancel out a 1-0 deficit against Liverpool in the last-16, second leg clash on Tuesday night. It will be made all the more intimidating as they will also have to face the boisterous Anfield crowd.
Real Madrid have a daunting task ahead of them in the Champions League as they attempt to cancel out a 1-0 deficit against Liverpool in the last-16, second leg clash on Tuesday night. It will be made all the more intimidating as they will also have to face the boisterous Anfield crowd.
But many in the Los Blancos camp believe that the fiery atmosphere will, infact, help Madrid lift their game and Raul is no exception. ‘ El Capitan ’, who has immense admiration for the famous ground, is confident that Madrid can match Liverpool on the night.
“It will be massive game. We are all very motivated and excited to confront this challenge,” he said during the pre-match conference.
“We have gone a few years now without making it past the first knockout round and this will be another complicated game for us because Liverpool have a slight advantage."
“But playing in a wonderful stadium with such a great atmosphere will help us. We are going to give our best so that we can be on par with our rivals."
“The most important thing is that we must score… at least two goals, minimum. If I can score, then great. If not, then one of my team-mates. We have to score to qualify for the next round,” he stressed.
Despite his illustrious achievements, the 31-year-old has yet to step onto the Anfield turf for a competitive football match. But he knows all about the hype surrounding this stadium.
“I have been lucky enough to watch a game at Anfield as a spectator. It is spectacular. I believe this ground will bring the best out of our players and I have confidence in my team,” he offered.
Raul is no stranger to performing at his best and scoring in England’s most famous venues as he reminisced about his heroic display at Old Trafford against Manchester United in the 1999/2000 Champions League quarter-finals.
“They are two completely different stadia and different games, but it was definitely a great achievement for us that night and hopefully we can repeat that here at Anfield."
“We are going to go out there to score, to win and to qualify. That’s our intention,” he conclude.
The clash will kick-off at 20:45 CET.