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Juventus were knocked out of the Champions league by Galatasaray in a controversial game on Wednesday but the defender insists their earlier results should have been better
Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini says the Old Lady have only themselves blame for their early Champions League exit.
The Turin giants lost 1-0 to Galatasaray in their vital Champions League clash on Wednesday, ensuring they will drop into the Europa League for the remainder of the season.
Although both Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini felt the playing conditions were dangerous following the snowstorm in Istanbul on Tuesday evening, Chiellini insists his side were made to pay for their poor results earlier in the group stage.
"It was a 0-0 game and it remains bitter in our mouths because we could've come into this match already qualified," he told reporters.
"I have regrets because we compromised our qualification in the first two games of the round. The two main mistakes were the games at Copenhagen and the one at home against Galatasaray where we threw away the win.
"We could not achieve our goal of qualifying for the round of 16 and we are sorry because today you couldn't play football on an impractical field.
"Yesterday when it was possible to play football we didn't concede anything to Galatasaray, but today we couldn't do the same. It was straightforward until the 85th minute where we suffered from the goal that eliminated us."
The 29-year-old was also quick to defend the Europa League, insisting his side will fully respect the competition, the final for which will be played at Juventus Stadium.
"In terms of the Europa League, we must be motivated to win it: like Chelsea did last year when they were eliminated (from the Champions League) then went on to win the Europa League," he continued.
"It's too early to talk about the final in Turin because there is a lot to play for in Serie A and Coppa Italia. We will treat the Europa League with the right mentality and the right concentration."
It's frustrating, but we'll have to deal with it - Rueful Wenger vents as Arsenal prepare to face Europe's giants after defeat
By SAMI MOKBEL PUBLISHED: 23:42 GMT, 11 December 2013 | UPDATED: 06:26 GMT, 12 December 2013
Arsenal face a daunting Champions League scenario after limping into the last 16 knockout stage here on Wednesday night.The Gunners’ 2-0 defeat against Rafa Benitez’s Napoli side, coupled with Borussia Dortmund’s late winner at Marseille meant Arsenal finished second in Group F, when all they needed was a point to top the section.
Raging: Arsene Wenger (right) watched his side fall to a 2-0 defeat by Napoli
Arsene Wenger’s men now face the prospect of facing either European giants Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain or Atletico Madrid in the second round, with the home leg first. Wenger admitted they were now plotting a much tougher course.‘Of course, to finish second makes the potential draw more difficult,’ said the manager. ‘In the last four or five years we have always had a difficult draw, so maybe this year we will be a bit luckier.
‘We regret we are not top. That is the frustration because you feel it was open to do better. But it could have been worse tonight as well. If you look at the teams (through), you know we will have a difficult draw. On the other hand, we qualified for the 14th consecutive year for the last 16. Maybe No 14 will give us a bit of luck.
‘The draw can be an inspiration for us. It gives us a little breather now to focus on the championship. We can put the Champions League at the back of our minds for now.‘We have a very difficult game on Saturday morning against Manchester City. We will see what comes out.’
Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker said: ‘We were at 10 per cent less mentally because we were always thinking we were through. But we deserved (to go through) because we played a good group stage.’
To the wire: Jose Callejon netted Napoli's second, but it wasn't enough to knock Arsenal out
Heartbreak: Gonzalo Higuain was devastated after the final whistle, as Napoli went crashing out
TOUGH DRAW FOR ARSENE
After finishing second following the defeat in Naples, Arsenal have their work cut out for them in the round of 16.
The Gunners will face group winners from outside the Premier League:
Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid or Barcelona
However, Wenger insisted his side did not go into Wednesday night’s clash with any complacency. ‘We felt we prepared quite well for the game and concentrated but we were a bit in between of “Do we attack or do we defend?”,’ said the Frenchman. ‘It is always difficult to deal with that problem. I felt in the second half our legs went a bit and Napoli were sharper. ‘We knew coming to Napoli would be difficult. We have done our job and now we give absolutely everything on Saturday morning.’
Leading the way: Kevin Grosskreutz netted the winner for Borussia Dortmund who topped Group F
Big guns: Neymar's Barcelona are among the sides Arsenal can draw on Monday
Napoli were handed the impetus last night following Mikel Arteta’s harsh sending-off by Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai for two yellow cards, which means he will miss the first leg of the round of 16. ‘He’s absolutely convinced that he didn’t make a foul and it was very harsh but he already had a yellow card,’ said Wenger. ‘It’s always difficult in the middle of the park. I felt it was a very harsh second yellow card.’
No consolation: Rafa Benitez (left) and Higuain trudge of the pitch in Naples after their victory
Mourinho: I'd love to see 'King Didier' back at the Bridge with Galatasaray in last 16
By LAURA WILLIAMSON PUBLISHED: 00:49 GMT, 12 December 2013 | UPDATED: 06:24 GMT, 12 December 2013
Jose Mourinho wants a Champions League reunion with ‘King Didier’ Drogba by drawing Roberto Mancini’s Galatasaray in the last 16. The Chelsea manager still does not think his team can win the competition but at least they will have some fun along the way, after qualifying for the knockout stage as Group E winners. Objective one — ‘not to win the Europa League again’ — has already been achieved, even if inconsistent Chelsea continue to flatter to deceive.
Return of the King? Galatasaray's Didier Drogba (front) and Wesley Sneijder (back) celebrate after beating Juventus. Jose Mourinho wants to face them in the next round
Thank you: Galatasaray's Didier Drogba from Ivory Coast salutes fans as he wears a jersey in sign of respect for the late Nelson Mandela
King preparing to land: Galatasaray's Wesley Sneijder (right) celebrates his winning goal with Didier Drogba (left)
Now Mourinho wants a rematch with a striker who won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and the Champions League during a glittering eight-year career at Stamford Bridge. Mourinho said: ‘We had one target, which was not to win the Europa League again and that target is done. Now we have to do the best we can in the Champions League. ‘Yes, Galatasaray is difficult. The Turkish champions with King Didier. Very difficult. But I’d like Didier to be back here and feel what I felt. He deserves to come here and get the reception double or three times better and bigger than I had. ‘I think there are teams in better conditions than Chelsea to win the competition, or at least to be considered favourites.
Respect: Chelsea Coach Jose Mourinho would like Didier Drogba to return to Stamford Bridge to get the ovation he deserves from Blues fans
Not impressed: Jose Mourinho barks out some instructions during a routine win over Steaua Bucharest
It’s easy to understand that Bayern Munich are champions. They have the same team and, I think, played three Champions League finals in four or five years. 'You have Barcelona, same team and champions three times in the last five or six years. Real Madrid have the same players plus Gareth Bale.‘But let’s go for the last 16. If we win, we go into the quarter-final and, with only eight teams, we can think a different way.‘But now we must forget the Champions League and work to improve the team and get results in the English competitions.’
Ovation: Former Chelsea player Dan Petrescu waves to the fans at half time during the Chelsea's win against Steaua Bucharest at Stamford Bridge
Mourinho’s assertion that his Crash Test Dummies will not win the Champions League or Premier League seemed apt last night as his side failed to give Chelsea fans a ‘performance and a result to be proud of’. They got the result they desired, of course, but another inconsistent performance prompted a few grumbles around Stamford Bridge.Chelsea enjoyed the vast majority of possession yet only won 1-0 thanks to a clumsy Demba Ba goal. So much for a swashbuckling ascent into the knockout stages.
This was functional rather than thrilling, once again.
Functional: Demba Ba celebrates his goal in a dull 1-0 victory for Chelsea
We should not have been surprised, however. Unlike the predictable training-ground dummies Mourinho quipped could probably score against his defensively shaky side, you never quite know what you are going to get with this Chelsea team. Drama? Probably. Goals? Yes, but they could come for or against Mourinho’s men. Inconsistency? Most definitely. The clinical, occasionally brutal Chelsea who could snuff the life out of a match and ‘kill opponents’ when three points were at stake seem to belong to a different era. ‘Not good enough,’ declared Chelsea captain John Terry emphatically in the matchday programme after last weekend’s defeat at Stoke.
Putting himself about: Demba Ba was denied by Steaua Bucurest goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu
It was interesting to hear Mourinho call this campaign his ‘first season’ during his 45-minute monologue in Tuesday’s pre-match briefing. There is clearly, and understandably, still much affection for the second coming of the Special One — just as there would be for Drogba’s return. But this is no time for sentimentality. With ‘an important period’ coming up over Christmas it is time for Chelsea to rediscover the ruthless streak that brought them such success last time around, and fast. How a striker of Drogba’s potency and poise — at defensive corners as well as in the attacking third — would be welcomed back to Stamford Bridge.
The European authorities have drafted an 11-point plan to eradicate the threat posed by match-fixing, an issue the body has described as a "top priority" for them
Uefa are drafting an 11-point plan aimed to eradicate match-fixing.
Europe's governing body expect to have the plan ready for the Uefa Congress in March 2014, with the draft to be sent to all 54 football associations across the continent.
Recent cases in the United Kingdom have seen former English Premier League player DJ Campbell questioned by police in regards to alleged match-fixing.
Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino said the body wanted uniform penalties across Europe.
"For Uefa , the fight against match-fixing is a top priority," he told reporters.
"Uefa have a policy of zero tolerance against match-fixing but it is important that all over Europe there is as uniform as possible approach against match-fixing.
"The executive committee is requesting that all associations to have concrete and effective policies to fight against match-fixing, that these policies should be consistent and uniform.
"Also what we want to strengthen is the partnership between sports bodies and state authorities because this is crucial in the fight against match-fixing."
Infantino said Uefa were monitoring 32,000 matches per year, with '0.7 per cent' causing 'some suspicion'.
The European authority also want the idea of the 'triple punishment' – when a foul denies a clear goalscoring opportunity and leads to a red card, penalty and suspension – to be looked into.
"It has been for some years that this topic has gone back and forth between different committees at Fifa level, at Uefa level and then at the Ifab (International Football Association Board)," Infantino said.
"And at Ifab they have never approved a change in this respect even though everyone seems to agree that this is not just.
"The executive committee has reiterated its wish and its plea to IFAB to look into this matter during their next meeting at the beginning of next year."
The Scottish champions have been punished for fan banners depicting William Wallace and IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands, which were displayed during the club's tie with AC Milan
Uefa have imposed a €50,000 fine on Celtic for displaying "illicit" banners in their Champions League encounter with AC Milan.
Proceedings were opened against the club on November 27 after certain sections of the crowd unfurled banners that appeared to pay tribute to an IRA terrorist.
Celtic, who lost the fixture 3-0 at Celtic Park to crash out of the competition, insisted the banners were not approved by the club.
But Uefa decided to take action, and the Glasgow giants have urged supporters to avoid a repeat of any such behaviour in future.
A statement on the club's website read: "Celtic can confirm that Uefa has today [Friday] imposed a €50,000 fine on the club following the display of illicit banners at the recent match against AC Milan.
"Clearly it is extremely disappointing that the club must pay another sizeable penalty following the actions of a small minority, particularly given the previous assurances which were made to the club and the widespread understanding of the likely outcome of such actions.
"Regrettably, due to previous charges being brought against the club, again following the actions of a small minority, the fines imposed by Uefa are increasing in scale.
"It goes without saying that such actions must stop now, before the club receives a competitive sanction or one which would affect our supporters attending European matches."
The news is a further blow for the Scottish champions, who imposed bans on 128 supporters on Monday following crowd trouble in a league fixture at Motherwell.
Bayern will not underestimate Arsenal again, says Hitzfeld
By Stefan Coerts75
Dec 17, 2013 9:42:00 AM
The current Switzerland boss is optimistic about the Bundesliga leaders's chances of reaching the Champions League last eight after they almost surrendered victory last season
Former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has stressed that the Bundesliga champions will not take the Champions League round of 16 tie against Arsenal lightly.
The Gunners were beaten 3-1 in the home leg in last season's encounter but came close to stunning the eventual winners when they won 2-0 at the Allianz Arena in the second leg, ultimately losing out to the German champions on away goals.
Hitzfeld has acknowledged the quality at Arsene Wenger's disposal but believes the Bavarians will have learned from their complacency in the 2012-13 encounter.
"Of course, Arsenal are a top team, but Bayern know them very well. They seemed to underestimate them in last year's second leg, but that will not happen again," Hitzfeld told AZ.
"Bayern will have learned from last year's mistakes.
"Arsenal might have Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski, but Bayern will progress."
Bayern will visit the Emirates Stadium for the first leg on February 18/19 or 25/26 before the return fixture in March.
Guardiola: Arsenal 'the most difficult team' Bayern could face
By Ewan Roberts136
Dec 17, 2013 11:00:00 AM
The former Barcelona boss believes die Roten were handed the worst possible draw, while he is also keen to continue the Bavarians' silverware haul with Club World Cup glory
Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola says Arsenal are the hardest side the Champions League holders could have faced in the last 16.
The two sides were pitted against each in Monday's draw in a re-match of their encounter last season – a game which saw the Gunners become the first side to win at the Allianz Arena in 2013, though they ultimately exited the tournament.
Arsene Wenger's charges are currently top of the Premier League table, and Guardiola has praised a side that he believes will pose a stern test to die Roten's hopes of retaining their crown.
"I know Arsene Wenger quite well, I know his players quite well," the Spaniard told reporters. "In the draw, it was the most difficult team."
The Bavarians are currently in Morocco for the Club World Cup, a competition Guardiola has won twice before with Barcelona and is keen to triumph in again.
"This tournament is very important, very prestigious. It’s not easy to qualify for it, nor to win it," he continued ahead of his side's semi-final clash with Guangzhou Evergrande.
"There are only two matches, the semi-final and the final, and simply put, we have to win them.
"You don't have the good fortune to take part in this competition very often in your life as a professional footballer and I'd like to express my gratitude to the team and Juup Heynckes because thanks to them I am here today."
Manchester City striker Aguero could miss Barcelona clash with calf injury
By Sam Lee68
Dec 17, 2013 11:57:00 PM
The Argentina international would face a race against time to be fit to face the Spanish champions if his coach's fears that he will miss eight weeks are realised
Sergio Aguero could miss Manchester City's Champions League last-16 clash with Barcelona with a calf injury.
City boss Manuel Pellegrini confirmed following his side's 3-1 win against Leicester City in the Capital One Cup that the striker will be out of action for around eight weeks, having limped out of their 6-3 win over Arsenal on Saturday after just 50 minutes.
Pellegrini revealed on Monday that his star striker would miss "at least one month", pending the verdict of club doctors, and the Chilean now believes that it could be as many as two months.
"I am not a doctor. It is very difficult," he told reporters. "The doctor has said he has at least one month or eight weeks. We will see.
"I don't how many weeks but it will be at least one month. It is very difficult to know at this moment how many weeks it can be."
Having missed Tuesday's game against the Foxes, Aguero could sit out as many as 12 matches should he be out of action for the full eight weeks.
If that is the case, he would surely be unable to make the first leg of the Barcelona clash, which is scheduled for February 18.
He will almost certainly play no part in Premier League clashes against Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea, as well as their FA Cup third-round tie with Blackburn.
City progressed to the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup after two goals from Edin Dzeko and one from Alexandar Kolarov helped see off Championship side Leicester at the King Power Stadium.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed he asked UEFA to abandon the away-goal rule in the Champions League.
The London club bowed out of the tournament last season, losing on the away goals after drawing 3-3 with eventual champions Bayern Munich over two legs in the round-of-16.
The sides have drawn one another again for a spot in the quarter-finals of the illustrious club competition, and the French tactician said after last year's misfortune – which saw Arsenal win 2-0 in Munich and still bow out –he requested a rule change.
"Certainly yes (Bayern will fear Arsenal)," Wenger said.
"If you look at the last five years we've had Barcelona twice, once Milan, and twice Bayern. So no-one can say we are advantaged by the draw.
"Last year we went out on away goals and after that I asked for UEFA to cancel the away goals."
Wenger said keeping a clean sheet away at the Bundesliga giants meant they were unworthy losers, and he feels the tie-break means home teams will be more cautious defensively.
"I think for example, we lost 3-1 here and won 2-0 at Bayern," Wenger said, alluding to their 2012-13 tie.
"It is difficult to win 2-0 to Bayern without conceding a goal.
"Sometimes I think there is a counter-effect as teams play at home not to concede goals. At home the first thing managers say is let's not concede goals."
The former Blaugrana star thinks that the Blues' Champions League last-16 opponents fear being beaten in 2014 due to the English club's excellent form
Barcelona are "scared" of Manchester City based on their storming performances this campaign, according to former Camp Nou midfielder Yaya Toure.
The Ivorian has been a pivotal part of the Blues' ascension to second in the Premier League in 2013-14 as of Christmas, as well as helping the club to their first appearance in the Champions League knock-out stage.
Manuel Pellegrini's men will face Barca in the last 16 and Toure - who left the Catalans in 2010 - thinks that Gerardo Martino's side fear elimination to the Citizens, whom he thinks will be the biggest team on the planet in a few seasons.
"To make history sometimes it takes longer," the 30-year-old told Sky Sports. "I am a lucky man to be in the right place because the club have brought in fantastic players.
"Everything is in a good place to be honest, and I'm sure in a couple of years Man City will become the greatest club in the world.
"[Barcelona] are quite afraid about us, the way they see us play in the Premier League at home especially, they're quite scared.
"We play fantastic football and we score goals, it's total attack. But it's going to be a tough game and for us we know if we're to win we need to be at the top of our game."
Man City face Premier League table-toppers Liverpool on December 26 and can take first place with a win at the Etihad Stadium.
The Frenchman defended his policy of Financial Fair Play and condemned match-fixing, before congratulating Bayern Munich for a momentous 2013 in his end-of-year message
Michel Platini believes Uefa's foremost duty to football is to implement policies that are responsible, even if they are not always popular.
The former Ballon d'Or winner is a staunch advocate of Financial Fair Play, where failure of a club to spend within its budget can lead to disqualification from European competitions.
And while admitting his initiatives are not always well-received, Platini has vowed to continue striving for a more level and financially-inclusive playing field in Europe.
"In recent months, football has not always projected the best image of itself. Practices which are morally reprehensible have persisted," he began in an address over Uefa's website.
"Uefa has its share of responsibility. We would like to act in a quicker and firmer manner. Nevertheless, we have moved to the next level in 2013, and important decisions have been taken.
"Clubs have been excluded from the Champions League and Europa League, either for reasons related to their financial mismanagement, or because of their involvement in match-fixing.
"All of these measures are not making us popular. That is patently clear. However, my aim is not to be popular. My aim is to be responsible.
"I must take on this responsibility to remain hopeful that another kind of football is possible. A football that is free of cheating, violence or injustice."
On a lighter note, Platini took time to congratulate Bayern Munich for a triumphant 2013, as well as express his hopes one of Europe's representatives at the 2014 World Cup would clinch the trophy.
"It would be remiss of me if I did not pay tribute to Bayern Munich, who won all the competitions in which the club has taken part in 2013, including the Club World Cup in Morocco days ago," the Juventus and France legend continued.
"We must also wish the best of luck to the 13 national teams who will represent Europe at the World Cup in Brazil.
"I have one single wish – that the Jules Rimet Trophy remains in Europe for another four years."
Heynckes: Bayern Munich can rule Europe for the next decade
By Mark Doyle294
Dec 30, 2013 10:47:00 PM
The 68-year-old, who led the Bavarians to a historic treble last season, feels that the mentality and average age of the players bodes well for an era of domination
Jupp Heynckes says that former club Bayern Munich can rule Europe for the next decade.
The 68-year-old led the Bavarian outfit to a treble last season and says that the side he passed onto Pep Guardiola is perfectly placed to usher in an era of unprecedented dominance.
"A team structured like this, in terms of age, quality and mutual respect, has a great decade to come," Heynckes told Kicker.
"They are strong enough to remain the number one in Europe in the coming years."
Heynckes elected to retire from the game in the summer - despite being inundated with coaching opportunities after it was announced that he would be replaced at the helm by Guardiola - and he says he does not regret his decision to step back from the game.
"I have not found it hard to let go at all," he insisted. "That's because I always remained in the background and never sought the spotlight.
"On the contrary, it is a relief for me that I no longer have to make so many appearances in public!"
PSG not worried about Financial Fair Play, insists Al-Khelaifi
By Stefan Coerts50
Jan 2, 2014 9:53:00 AM
The French champions see no reason for concern after a meeting with Uefa and are very pleased with Laurent Blanc's work as head coach
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi says Financial Fair Play (FFP) will not hurt their ambition in becoming one of the best teams in the world as they are not violating any rules.
The French giants recently met with Uefa to discuss FFP and a sponsor deal with Qatar Tourism Authority and Al-Khelaifi has stressed there is no reason for concern for PSG.
"Everything went perfect during my meeting with Uefa back in November to discuss Financial Fair Play," Al-Khelaifi told L'Equipe.
"We responded to all their questions and things went well.
"Our contract with Qatar Tourism Authority is not some accounting trick. It’s the same contract we have with Emirates.
"There's no reason for Uefa to disagree. Everything is legal. Our lawyers are very competent."
Al-Khelaifi then went on to discuss the position of head coach Laurent Blanc and insisted that PSG are happy with the former France boss.
He added: "Blanc's renewal? He still has a contact until 2015, so there's plenty of time. He could stay on even if we don't win Ligue 1. We play some excellent football under him and that's more important to us than winning titles."
PSG currently hold a three-point lead over Monaco in the league table.
Raul warns Real Madrid: Schalke will fight right to the end
Jan 2, 2014 7:56:00 PM
The Blancos legend is in no doubt that Carlo Ancelotti's men are the superior side but he thinks they will be severely tested by the men from Gelsenkirchen
Raul has warned Real Madrid to take nothing for granted in their Champions League last-16 clash with Schalke, claiming that the Germans will "fight right to the end".
The legendary Spanish striker, who spent two seasons in Gelsenkirchen after a 16-year spell at the Santiago Bernabeu, feels that the Liga outfit are the clear favourites to progress to the last 16.
However, it feels it would be very foolish for Carlo Ancelotti and his men to underestimate the threat posed by Schalke, whom they will face at the Veltins-Arena next month.
"It's going to be a special play-off for me," Raul told Madrid's official website. "It's going to be great for Schalke 04 and I'm really happy that my [former] team-mates and the fans are going to experience this play-off.
"Real Madrid is better than Schalke 04, but you always have to be careful with German teams because they fight right to the end.
"They (Schalke) have a very good team as well."
The 36-year-old Raul, who is Madrid's all-time top scorer, is currently plying his trade in Qatar with Al Sadd.
The Uruguay star has delivered a warning to the rest of the continent and revealed his thoughts on playing alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Edinson Cavani says Paris Saint-Germain are capable of upsetting the odds and winning the Champions League this season.
The Ligue 1 champions have been drawn against Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in the last-16 and Cavani insists that they are capable of going all the way in the competition.
"Yes, I really think that the PSG can win the Champions League," the Uruguay international told French newspaper Le Figaro.
The striker moved to les Parisiens in a €64 million deal from Napoli over the summer and has since forged a partnership with Zlatan Ibrahimovic - a player he was quick to praise for his unique style.
He explained: "I feel good next to Zlatan . He is a player of great class,
"He scares opponents because he can score at any moment. He has his own way of playing; it may seem impolite and rude, but he is a very important player for the team."
The 26-year-old has scored 16 goals in 22 games in all competitions so far this season and believes his decision to move to France has made him a more complete player.
"I'm very good in Paris. I had a rather difficult adjustment, but all the people in France have treated me great and this has helped me,
"Today I feel happy and want to grow more as a person and player. I work 100 per cent to achieve my goals with PSG."
The Real Madrid midfielder is determined to help the club achieve 'La Decima' this season to atone for a string of semi-final failures
Xabi Alonso insists that Real Madrid must reach the Champions League final this season after a heartbreaking hat-trick of near misses.
The Blancos have been eliminated in the last four of Europe's premier club competition for the last three campaigns, at the hands of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Those defeats have elongated Real's quest for a 10th European Cup success but Alonso says the painful memories will act as an incentive for Carlo Ancelotti's men to reach this season's final in Lisbon on May 24.
"In recent years, playing for Real Madrid, being knocked out of the semi-finals of the Champions League was very painful," the Spanish international told Club del Deportista
"That is why our aim is to reach the final this year and put those defeats behind us."
Real have began this season's competition in fine form, winning five of their six Champions League Group B games to set up a last 16 clash with German outfit Schalke.
