Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has claimed that his side must aim to win the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Galatasaray.
Los Blancos have been drawn against the Turkish side in the last eight of the competition, and host the Aslan at Santiago Beranbeu on April 3.
But the Portuguese Coach has warned that they will pose as big a threat as anyone else in the competition.
“They have been playing in the quarter finals of the Champions League for many years and there is one thing that doesn’t change which is that the teams who have qualified are there for a reason,” he told realmadrid.com.
“Galatasaray are not just there because they made it through the group stage but also because they made it through a knock-out round. It is a competition that a lot of teams start and now there are only eight left, and the ones that are left are there for a reason.
“The draw is not something to get nervous about because there is not much to choose between the teams. Whichever one you get, even though obviously they have different statuses, you know that it will not be an easy task. That is why I was so calm. We got Galatasaray, another champion. We always get the champions and it is the fourth one we have had this season, apart from Manchester United.
“It will be tough but we need to try to get something positive from the first match, something we didn’t manage against Manchester United. We have to make sure we go there with a small advantage.”
The 50-year-old also commented on his relationship with Didier Drogba – who now plays for Galatasaray – as well as their recent impressive form.
“Drogba is more than Drogba. You have given me the chance to say that the things you see in the press don’t bother me because Drogba knows who I am and what I feel in my heart for him, but people might think it could be true.
“I’m not going to say that he is my favourite because I have had a lot of truly special players, but if I had to choose one I might go for Didier. As a player he is out of this world. I would like to have him by my side.
“Regarding la Liga it is too late. I have always told the players that it is important to use the matches in la Liga to be on top form in the matches that the trophies depend on because we lost la Liga a long time ago.
“We are looking at things positively. We have to try to play to win, use the squad in such a way that everyone is in good form for playing and nobody is overworked, to finish second, to finish as close as possible to first place and, most importantly, so that all the individuals and the team are on top form when we have to play the matches that will decide who wins the trophies that we can win or lose.
“With all the pride that Real Madrid has to put in every match and competition, I don’t think we can win la Liga.”
