Karim Benzema believes the Real Madrid that will face Borussia Dortmund tonight are a different team to the one beaten last year.
Dortmund and Madrid met four times in last season’s Champions League, in the group stage and the semi-finals, and Madrid only won once – the semi-final second-leg, when they were eliminated on aggregate.
But Benzema told Madrid’s official website that Los Blancos are in better shape to play the Bundesliga outfit this year than they were 12 months ago.
“We’ve won nearly all our games in the tournament and we feel good,” Benzema said.
“We’ll give our all to get through this round. Everything has gone well until now.
“We’ve reached the quarter-finals and we’re in good form.
“Dortmund still have the same players but they’ve had a lot of injuries this season.
“We have to put what happened last year to the back of our minds and now we have a new team with a new mentality.
“We’re not thinking about them, although they are strong.”
Benzema added that Madrid, competing in the Champions League, the League and the Copa del Rey, do not value one tournament over another.
“The goal is to win all three titles and I think we can do it. We have a good team and a strong squad,” Benzema continued.
“Carlo Ancelotti has brought us stability, and that’s important.
“We’ve reached the Champions League semi-finals for the last three years and we’re doing well this year.
“We still have a number of games to play before the final but we’re getting closer.”
Benzema is one-third of the vaunted BBC – the name given to Madrid’s attacking trio that also includes Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“They are great players and we have a good understanding, on and off the pitch,” Benzema said of his colleagues.
“It’s easy to play with players that skilful, fast and technical.
“I don’t know [if we are the most dangerous attack in the tournament] but we are a team, it’s not just about the three forwards.
“We are supported by the whole squad. We play an attacking style and having great players in attack helps the team win games.”
Benzema went on to discuss what the Champions League means to him and revealed who he would prefer to play in the final.
“I’ve had a lot of success in the Champions League and I hope that continues.
“Games like this help me with my confidence. Every time I play in the Champions League it’s special. I love this competition.
“[I’d like a] final between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, as they are a French side.”
