Gonzalo Higuain believes that Real Madrid are capable of causing Manchester United a lot of damage in the first leg of their Champions League clash.
Madrid host English League leaders United on Wednesday evening for the first leg of their Last 16 meeting, with striker Higuain in buoyant mood.
“Our goal is to win and it’s even better if we don’t concede any goals. We know that a goal for the away team can really influence things,” reflected the 25-year-old to Madrid’s official website this week.
“There’s no question that we’re going to give it our all. We also want our fans to get behind us. The team always tries to do its best, sometimes it goes well and sometimes it doesn’t.
“Manchester United are a solid team. They always make it to the knockout rounds in Europe and we’re going to have to be on our toes.
“But we can do a lot of damage with individual quality and counter-attacks.
“Playing in the Champions League is wonderful and it gives enormous prestige to whoever wins the title. I’m more of a player that listens and focuses on myself in the dressing room; I don’t talk much before the matches.
“I hope that the key player comes from my squad because this would mean that we did things right and that we can have a successful second leg.”
The Argentine also reflected on his time so far at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“I came here when I was very young and I’ve been here for six years. I can say that I have a lot of affection for this club.
“The fans and my teammates have always treated me well. The truth is that it’s something wonderful to feel but you have to be part of it to really know what it means to be madridista.
“My strengths? I don’t like to talk about myself, but I think I’m a competitive player, a fighter, and I always try to improve what I think needs improving.
“My father is my idol. He didn’t play in the same position but he’s the closest I have. Not playing in the same position didn’t help me on the pitch, but he taught me things that he had experienced so that I could try to do them.”
