Basel Coach Paulo Sousa says he is hopeful of achieving a positive result against Real Madrid in their Champions League clash on Tuesday.
The Portuguese is aware the European Champions are going through a difficult time domestically, having lost two of their opening three La Liga games, and he told reporters he believes it is up to his players to cash in on the situation.
“I hope that we can stamp our personality on the game right from the start. With ambition and courage we can take advantage of what is happening here at the moment.
“This is a historic opportunity for us to compete at this level. But with the quality of players at Madrid’s disposal hopefully they won’t turn the situation around against us,” declared Sousa, who could not hide his admiration for countryman Cristiano Ronaldo.
“We can give our players advice to stop their players, but they have others as well as Cristiano, who is a winner and someone who challenges himself every day to become even better.
“It’s great. He is Portuguese and flies our flag here in Spain at the biggest club in Europe and the World. I’m very happy for him as I’m also happy to see great players on the pitch, because football lives for that and we are delighted to see them.”
Sousa went on to remark on his side’s aspirations in a group that also contains Liverpool and Bulgarian outfit Ludogorets.
“We are happy to compete with Liverpool and Real Madrid, who between them have won 15 European Cups, and we want to carry on improving and continue in the same direction this club has been going for the last five years.
“We want to have pride, courage and ambition. To become better you have to compete against the best and to do that is a very important step for us,” he explained.
