SPAIN: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo is confident his side will beat Bayern Munich to reach the Champions League final

Record ID: 184284

  • Title: SPAIN: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo is confident his side will beat Bayern Munich to reach the Champions League final
  • Date: 25th April 2014
  • Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (APRIL 25, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF REAL MADRID AND PORTUGAL FORWARD CRISTIANO RONALDO WALKING INTO PROMOTIONAL EVENT (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) REAL MADRID AND PORTUGAL FORWARD CRISTIANO RONALDO SAYING OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL AGAINST BAYERN MUNICH: "It has become something of an obsession which creates pressure. To a certain degree this is good. On the other hand, it can be a weight on your shoulders, but we know what we have to do. Real Madrid have been in three semi-finals in the last three years, as well as this one. This year is going to be the time when we reach the final. It is difficult to think of anything beyond this, but as I have said before, the quarter-finals (semi-finals) are difficult against an excellent team. We are playing the actual champions, so for this reason it is going to be a battle worthy of the final itself." PAN DOWN FROM PICTURE OF BOOT TO RONALDO PRESENTATION IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) CRISTIANO RONALDO SAYING: "Our team has a small advantage, we are going to try and make the most of it. We are going to their home, so it is going to be more dangerous and difficult. We have our strengths, the team is in good shape, it is confident and we are going to try and score." RONALDO'S BOOTS (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) CRISTIANO RONALDO SAYING OF THE WORLD CUP IN BRAZIL: "We aren't the favourites, so it is good because we don't have so much pressure on us; that will come later. We will try to enjoy it. We have a very difficult group stage, in my opinion the toughest in the world cup, but we'll take it one step at a time." RONALDO LEAVING EVENT VARIOUS OF RONALDO'S BOOTS ON DISPLAY
  • Embargoed: 10th May 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: General,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA7AC6EHOMYNYVCHDDASLO8GNW0
  • Story Text: World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo said on Friday (April 25) he is confident that Real Madrid can beat holders Bayern Munich to reach the Champions League final in Lisbon.
    Real have fallen at the semi-final stage of Europe's elite club competition for the past three seasons in a row, including a penalty shootout defeat to current opponents Bayern in 2012.
    This year, Karim Benzema gave manager Carlo Ancelotti's team a 1-0 victory at the Bernabeu last Wednesday, so a draw in Bayern's Allianz Arena next week would be enough to put Real into the final in Lisbon on May 25.
    Real are seeking a record 10th European Cup triumph and a first final appearance since they beat Bayer Leverkusen in 2002.
    Speaking at a promotional event in Madrid on Friday, Ronaldo said: "It has become something of an obsession which creates pressure. To a certain degree this is good, on the other hand it can be a weight on your shoulders, but we know what we have to do. Real Madrid have been in three semi-finals in the last three years, as well as this one. This year is going to be the time when we reach the final. It is difficult to think of anything beyond this but as I have said before, the quarter-finals (semi-finals) are difficult against an excellent team. We are playing the actual champions, so for this reason it is going to be a battle, worthy of the final itself."
    Bayern's home record against Real in the Champions League is impressive and they have not lost in 10 meetings at home. The German champions have won four of the five semi-finals they have played against Real in the European Cup.
    Ancelotti's side were strong playing on the counter-attack against Bayern's possession-based game and Ronaldo said his side would look to make the most of this next Wednesday.
    "Our team has a small advantage, we are going to try and make the most of it. We are going to their home, so it is going to be more dangerous and difficult. We have our strengths, the team is in good shape, it is confident, and we are going to try and score."
    Ronaldo has a busy Summer, not least because of leading Portugal at the world cup finals in Brazil.
    Portugal, who qualified through the play-offs, have been drawn in the tough Group G along with former world champions Germany; Ghana; and the United States.
    "We aren't the favourites, so it is good because we don't have so much pressure on us, that will come later. We will try to enjoy it. We have a very difficult group stage, in my opinion the toughest in the world cup, but we'll take it one step at a time," said Ronaldo.
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