Paulo Sousa ‘not scared’ of Cristiano

Basel boss Paulo Sousa is adamant he is not scared of Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of his team’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid on Wednesday.

The Portuguese will see his side qualify for the next stage of the competition if they win and Liverpool fail to beat Ludogorets in the other Group B game.

“I’m not scared of Cristiano Ronaldo but I’m always happy to see such a player on the pitch, both as a Coach and a Portuguese,” he told a pre-match Press conference.

“Madrid are not just Cristiano, even if he is really important to them, and if we don’t allow him to have the ball then he won’t have the opportunity to scare us.

“I wouldn’t pick any of their players as mine are always the best. I really believe we can have a magical night and deliver great happiness to our fans.”

Sousa believes it will be an entirely different game from the 5-1 thrashing in the opening group game at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“It won’t be the same game as there, when everything was new to us. Here we are more relaxed and will keep playing the same way as always.

“Madrid have won their last 14 games and have been working together for over a year, so we need to keep the same personality and compete.

“If we are more efficient than the first game and block their counter-attacks then we can achieve a great result.”

The former midfielder does not think it is to Basel’s advantage that Madrid have already qualified.

“I don’t think the fact they are through is an advantage. They have some world-class players and it’s up to us to play the perfect game.

“We don’t want to give them any chances with such dangerous players.We conceded three goals to counter-attacks in the first game.

“But for us a good result would be a win. We need all the small details to go in our favour and to play great football.

“We want to progress in the Champions League and I believe we can qualify,” he declared.

Tags Basel Cristiano Ronaldo Paulo Sousa
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