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'It was a s**t game' - Keller left reeling after Madrid rout
By Joe Wright
Feb 27, 2014 12:56:00 AM
The hosts were thrashed 6-1 in their Champions League clash on Wednesday and their coach believes it was an important learning curve for his youngsters
Schalke boss Jens Keller was left reeling after his side's thrashing at the hands of Real Madrid on Wednesday, slamming the 6-1 loss as "a s**t game".
Two goals each for Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale embarrassed the Bundesliga side in their Champions League last-16 first leg, with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's fine late volley serving as scant consolation to the beleaguered hosts.
With Sead Kolasinac, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Roman Neustadter all suffering injuries during the contest, Keller was left with little to shout about at the final whistle - although he did stress the defeat would serve as an important learning curve for youngsters Julian Draxler and Max Meyer.
"We had a very young team on the pitch and they learned a lot," he told Sky. "Guys like Julian Draxler, Max Meyer, Sead Kolasinac or Joel Matip know now that at this level you have to be even more focused and you are allowed even fewer mistakes.
"Kolasinac is at the hospital, maybe he has a broken jaw. Kevin-Prince Boateng is injured, Roman Neustadter has knee problems. It was a s**t game plus we have all these new injuries now.
"We started well until we conceded the first goal. Then we made error after error and a team like Real Madrid exploit that without any mercy."
The second leg takes place at Santiago Bernabeu on March 18.
The Italian thinks Galatasaray were the better team in the Champions League clash on Wednesday, but is relatively pleased with the 1-1 result nonetheless
Roberto Mancini felt Chelsea deserved to be beaten by Galatasaray in the opening leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.
Solid early pressure from Chelsea rewarded them with a ninth-minute opener from Fernando Torres at the Turk Telekom Arena, but Gala controlled the game for long spells.
Mancini reshuffled his pack to tactically stifle the Londoners and the hosts gained their reward through Aurelien Chedjou's equaliser just after the hour.
The 1-1 draw means that the tie is still finely balanced heading into the return at Stamford Bridge on March 18, with an away goal giving the Premier League side a slight edge, but Mancini felt that his side could have been heading to London in a more comfortable position.
Asked by Sky Sports whether he was disappointed to be coming away on level terms, the Italian said: "Yes, because in the second half we probably deserved to score another goal.
"We gained a lot of confidence from the second half, but we had too much respect for Chelsea. Maybe we were too deep in the first half, we played with fear but I'm happy.
"One-one is a good result, we have another game."
Jose Mourinho's Blues will host Mancini's men on March 18 as they pursue Champions League glory for the second time in three seasons.
UEFA rounds up key stats from the round of 16 first legs, including two landmarks for Real Madrid CF and Lionel Messi equalling Raúl González's one-club tally.
• Real Madrid CF became not only the first club to score six goals away from home in a UEFA Champions League knockout fixture but also the first to reach 400 goals for the competition, Cristiano Ronaldo's second goal of the evening at FC Schalke 04 (and Madrid's sixth) bringing up that landmark figure.
• FC Barcelona's victory over Manchester City FC and Manchester United FC's defeat at Olympiacos FC combined to move the Catalan side ahead of United to the top of the table in the UEFA Champions League's official all-time ranking list. While both clubs have a nominal 263 points (on the basis of two points for a win, one for a draw), Barça have the superior goal difference (+186 to +155). They have also played fewer games (190 to 197).
• Barcelona also have more wins now than United, 107 to 106, but both teams still trail Real Madrid in that category, the latter's victory at Schalke being their 111th in all. Madrid are the only club in the competition's history (with a minimum of ten matches played) to average over two goals a game, the 6-1 triumph in Gelsenkirchen boosting their average to 2.041. Next best are Barcelona on 1.984.
• Three players made their 50th UEFA Champions League appearance on matchday seven – Yaya Touré of Manchester City, FC Zenit's Anatoliy Tymoshchuk and Nemanja Vidić of Manchester United. Meanwhile, Chelsea FC goalkeeper Petr Čech took his all-time total to 99.
• Lionel Messi's penalty at Manchester City was his 66th goal in the competition for Barcelona, matching the record number scored for one club, by Real Madrid's Raúl González. Messi needs another five goals to equal Raúl's competition-best haul of 71 – the Spaniard also struck five times in the competition for Schalke.
• Ronaldo's double for Madrid took his cumulative tally of UEFA Champions League goals to 61, five behind Messi, although he is still only the third player to reach 60 goals in the competition. However, with 11 in this season's tournament he is on target to eclipse the Barcelona forward's record for a single campaign – 14 in 2011/12, on a par with the European Cup mark set by AC Milan's José Altafini in 1962/63.
• Both Messi and Ronaldo have found the net in every one of their UEFA Champions League outings this term – a feat matched by Club Atlético de Madrid's Diego Costa, whose late winner at AC Milan was his fourth goal in as many appearances.
• With his late strike at Arsenal FC, FC Bayern München's Thomas Müller became the 35th player to attain the milestone of 20 UEFA Champions League goals. Fernando Torres and Robert Lewandowski both took their all-time totals to 17, with the former notching his ninth for Chelsea FC – one more than he managed for Liverpool FC.
• 2013/14 is only the second season in which two countries have taken their full four-team complement into the round of 16. England and Germany are at full strength this term; it was England and Spain who between them accounted for half the field at this juncture in 2008/09.
The former Schalke goalkeeper doubts the Bavarians will be able to replicate Real Madrid's 6-1 thrashing in midweek when they host die Knappen on Saturday
Manuel Neuer has insisted that Bayern Munich can be beaten by Schalke this weekend if they do not put in a top performance.
Jens Keller's men were humiliated in a 6-1 defeat at Veltins Arena in the Champions League in midweek, triggering jokes in social media that they could concede double figures on their visit to the Allianz Arena on Saturday.
The Bavarians are yet to lose in the league this season and have won all their home Bundesliga games, but Neuer, who made his name starring in goal for Schalke before he joined die Roten, thinks his old side have the attackers to hurt them in Munich if they do not bring their best form.
"They don't have the players to sit back and defend - their strength lies in attack," the Bayern shot-stopper told reporters on Thursday.
"Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Jefferson Farfan don't like to work in defence, they prefer to stay up front. The same goes for Max Meyer and Julian Draxler.
"We know we are beatable, we know it's dangerous to let things slide. The coach always has new challenges for us.
"We've just worked together with Pep Guardiola for more than half a year now, but he does not see us where he wants us to be. That's the positive aspect: there is still room for further development."
The ex-Veltins Arena goalkeeper suggested Schalke's hammering at the hands of Real Madrid was an anomaly and does not think it is likely that Bayern will replicate that result this weekend.
"I know them better then anyone else, of course," he continued. "They wanted to show a great match againt Madrid.
"If they had had a better day they could have competed. Of course you can accept losing against that team, but not like that.
"They've shown a good start in the Bundesliga. We don't plan to see them off with six goals though, we just want to win the match."
Bayern have an all-but-unassailable 19-point lead in the Bundesliga over second-placed Bayer Leverkusen after 22 matchdays.
Pellegrini handed two-game Champions League touchline ban for Barcelona outburst
By Chris Davie
Feb 28, 2014 3:13:00 PM
A further one-game sanction has been suspended for two years following the Chilean's furious reaction to his side's 2-0 loss to the Blaugrana at the Etihad last week
Manuel Pellegrini has been handed a two-game touchline suspension by Uefa for criticising referee Jonas Eriksson after Manchester City’s Champions League defeat to Barcelona.
A further one-game sanction has been suspended for two years.
Following the 2-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium on February 18, during which Martin Demichelis was sent off, the Chilean claimed the Swedish official “decided the game”.
"Of course I have a complaint, not only for the penalty and the red card,” Pellegrini said at the time.
"I think in the whole match we didn't have a referee with impartiality to both teams.”
Pellegrini has since apologised for his comments but his sanction from Uefa means he will not be permitted to sit on the bench for City’s return leg against the Spanish champions on 12 March.
"You are frustrated and angry. Maybe I said something but I don't think that way. I want to apologise," the former Malaga boss subsequently stated.
"I didn't say he was a bad referee, that he was not honest, that he cannot referee in Uefa.
"I felt from the beginning his criteria was not the same for both teams, I think he had a bad day - everyone can have a bad day - but I didn't say that intentionally he didn't give fouls for us or did give fouls for Barcelona."
The Chilean will not be allowed to communicate directly or indirectly with his players or coaching staff during the match at Camp Nou.
UEFA is yet to identify clubs under investigation (Photosport)
UEFA is investigating 76 Champions League and Europa League clubs for potentially breaking the Financial Fair Play rules designed to curb excessive spending.
The first sanctions against clubs will be announced in April, UEFA said.
Clubs involved in more serious cases will also be identified then, with UEFA setting a June deadline to publish verdicts before the qualifying round draws for next season's competitions.
"UEFA in this respect is taking the lead in order to protect European football from greed, from reckless spending, from financial insanity," UEFA secretary general Gianni Infantino said.
Clubs risk exclusion from future UEFA competitions for the most severe breaches of rules designed to encourage them to break even on football-related trading. Lesser sanctions include warnings, withholding prize money and restrictions on registering players for UEFA competitions.
UEFA didn't identify clubs under investigation, and officials declined to discuss details of ongoing cases.
Clubs expected to be scrutinized most closely include big-spending Champions League contenders Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, whose main sponsorship deals are linked to their owners from Qatar and Abu Dhabi, respectively.
UEFA expects several clubs to challenge their sanctions at the Court of Arbitration for Sport before the group stage draws in late August.
"It would be strange if they weren't (appealed)," said UEFA legal director Alasdair Bell, anticipating that "July and August could be a busy time. We are not afraid of them being contested."
UEFA revealed figures Friday after studying financial reports from 2012, the first of a two-year monitoring period to begin the Financial Fair Play regime.
UEFA says the 76 - almost one third of clubs which entered the Champions League and Europa League this season - had a total deficit of 600 million euros ($828 million) according to its break-even calculations.
The clubs have been asked to give updated financial statements to an independent UEFA-appointed panel monitoring their finances. The panel is chaired by Jean-Luc Dehaene, a former prime minister of Belgium.
The UEFA Club Financial Control Body includes a second, judging chamber to decide the most serious cases.
Clubs which are "directly affected," according to UEFA rules, by a rival club's verdict from the Dehaene panel can challenge it with the judging chamber.
Still, UEFA cautioned that some of the 76 clubs would likely show improved figures in the second monitoring year.
"Of course, not all (cases) are serious. Many will be dropped and some are minor cases," Infantino said.
UEFA has allowed clubs to report a deficit of 45 million euros against the complex break-even calculations for the initial two-year monitoring period. That loss can be covered by a one-time equity payment by club owners.
Of the 237 clubs whose 2012 accounts were assessed by UEFA this season, 57 combined to report a surplus of 737 million euros (about $1 billion) according to the break-even rules and were not asked for additional information.
A total of 104 clubs had income below a 5 million euros threshold set by UEFA and were exempted from assessment.
Offering Champions League runner-up Borussia Dortmund as a model club which has grown and succeeded playing by FFP rules, Infantino insisted the system didn't protect an elite group of clubs by dissuading investors from funding ambitious rivals.
"We think this is completely wrong," Infantino said. "We want to have a healthy club sector."
Fifa moves to address 'triple punishment' concerns
By Mark Doyle
Mar 1, 2014 1:36:00 PM
It has been argued by Michel Platini among others that it is unfair that one infringement within the box can result in a penalty, a red card and an automatic suspension
Fifa has accepted a Uefa request to address the game's controversial 'triple punishment' rule regarding 'professional' fouls in the penalty area.
The directive has been the subject of much debate in recent weeks, after both Manchester City and Arsenal were reduced to 10 men in their recent Champions League last-16 clashes with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, respectively.
Given that the professional fouls in question also resulted in penalties, as well as mandatory suspensions for dismissed duo Martin Demichelis (City) and Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal), it has been argued that teams are effectively being punished three times for a single offence.
Consequently, Fifa has now agreed to review the law relating to the automatic dismissal and suspension of players guilty of committing a 'professional' foul.
"Uefa submitted a proposal to remove the red card given for any offence denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity inside the penalty area," Fifa confirmed in a statement issued after the International Football Association Board's (IFAB) Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Zurich on Saturday.
"The IFAB acknowledged that the so-called ‘triple punishment’ has been heavily debated including concerns that, if red cards were to be removed, it would lead to cynical fouls – as was the case under the previous wording of ‘Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct’ in relation to sending off offences.
"It was decided that the advisory panels should consider the matter to analyse how Law 12 might be further clarified."
Fifa also revealed that it was decided that video replays will remain solely available to match officials for deciding whether a goal has been scored.
"The IFAB remains of the view that technology should be allowed only for goal-line incidents, since it is a clear yes or no decision," the statement continued.
"Concerns were raised about video replays slowing the game down or increasing the number of stoppages."
Mancini clarifies Mourinho comments: I didn't say he won at Inter because of me
By Mark Doyle
Mar 1, 2014 4:45:00 PM
The Galatasaray boss says his quotes were blown out of proportion, but admits that he would like to coach Italy one day
Roberto Mancini has moved to clarify comments he made about Jose Mourinho, insisting that he did not claim he was responsible for the Portuguese's treble triumph at Inter.
The Galatasaray coach recently claimed that Mourinho's success at San Siro was in part due to the fact that he had inherited a "good" squad from him, while at the same time arguing that he had "built" the Manchester City side Manuel Pellegrini is currently attempting to lead to a quadruple.
Mourinho responded by saying that Mancini had left him with a "five-a-side team" at Inter but the Italian has now attempted to defuse the row by claiming that his quotes were blown out of proportion.
"I never said that Mourinho won because of me," the 49-year-old told Radio Deejay.
"I was just asked a question about the Portuguese and Pellegrini and I simply said that when they arrived at Inter and City have found teams that were already accustomed to winning.
"My relationship with Mourinho? We are colleagues. We limit ourselves to greetings."
Meanwhile, Mancini, who only took charge of Galatasaray in September, has hinted that he would be interested in taking the Italy job should current coach Cesare Prandelli stand down after this summer's World Cup.
"The Italian national team are among the best in the world, so it's a nice thing to train them," he mused.
"I don't know what the future holds for Prandelli, but it's clear that I would very much like to train them.
"At the moment, however, it is a problem that will not arise because I'm happy here in Turkey."
Barcelona's Fabregas unimpressed by Real Madrid and Bayern Munich
By SW Lim
Mar 2, 2014 7:21:00 AM
The Bavarians and los Blancos are viewed by many as the form sides in Europe right now, but the former Arsenal captain does not see any reason for the Blaugrana to fear either
Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas does not rate Real Madrid or Bayern Munich - in spite of the pair's resounding victories in the Champions League round of 16.
Los Blancos won by a 6-1 avalanche against Schalke, while reigning European champions Bayern defeated Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates.
However, Fabregas claimed Madrid's game in Gelsenkirchen was effectively over the moment the capital club doubled their lead, while he still expects Pep Guardiola's men to have problems finishing off the Gunners at the Allianz Arena.
"The Champions League does not usually see this kind of results [Madrid's landslide win], but I was not impressed," the 26-year-old told Mundo Deportivo.
"Schalke surrendered with the scoreline at 2-0, right after they could have made it 1-1. Neither does Bayern winning the German league and cup 90 percent of the time mean anything to me.
"They have a momentary 2-0 lead against an English team. We shall see in the end."
The Catalan instead talked up the strength of his boyhood team, saying the Blaugrana will do everything they can to successfully defend their Liga title, as well as progress to the next stages of Europe's elite club competition.
"Barcelona is the world's most demanding club," he continued. "We must be more united than ever now. "We know that if our team plays at 100 percent then we can win almost every game.
"[Champions League opponents Manchester] City are still alive, as are Arsenal and Manchester United. The qualifiers are 180 minutes.
"We played a very good 90 minutes, but are aware another difficult game will follow. We found that out against Paris Saint-Germain [when they sneaked into the semi-finals last season on away goals]."
Gerardo Martino's team will be protecting a 2-0 lead when they take on City in the return leg at the Camp Nou on March 12.
Wenger: Bayern Munich less dangerous than Real Madrid
By Peter Thompson
Mar 4, 2014 3:39:00 PM
The Arsenal manager believes the German giants were more formidable under Jupp Heynckes and insists Carlo Ancelotti's men "have the best balance" in Europe
Arsene Wenger has tipped Real Madrid as potential Champions League winners and believes that Bayern Munich are "less dangerous" this year.
Champions League holders Bayern beat Wenger's Arsenal side 2-0 last month in the first-leg of their last-16 tie at the Emirates Stadium.
Bavarian giants Bayern won an historic treble last season under Jupp Heynckes and are also sweeping all before them in the current campaign.
The defending champions are 20 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, as well as having one foot in the quarter-finals of Europe's premier club competition and already being crowned FIFA Club World Cup champions.
But despite their ominous form, Wenger believes that Bayern carry less of a threat under Pep Guardiola than they did in the 2012-13 campaign - particularly with key men Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben having been troubled by injuries.
He told Eurosport: "Last year, Ribery and Robben were playing together and they were in great shape, so Bayern were really powerful going forward,
"This year they still have an awful lot of possession, but I think they're less dangerous - I think we saw that at Arsenal. Even though we were playing with 10 players (following the sending off of Wojciech Szczesny) they didn't really create an awful lot."
Real hammered Schalke 6-1 last week, are top of La Liga and in the Copa del Rey final in Carlo Ancelotti's first season at the Spanish club
And Wenger has seen enough of the Spanish side to think of them as contenders to win the Champions League trophy for the first time since 2002.
The Frenchman said: "Real Madrid right now are on a par with anything. For me, this is the team with the best balance."
Real Madrid on track to win Champions League, claims Pepe
Mar 6, 2014 8:37:00 AM
The Blancos defender is optimistic about his side's chances of going all the way in Europe, while he has hailed Cristiano Ronaldo's desire to improve
Pepe believes Real Madrid are making good progress in their bid to win 'la Decima' this season.
The Santiago Bernabeu side last won the Champions League in 2001-02 and have since been unable to reach the final of European club football's elite competition since.
Nevertheless, Pepe is optimistic about their chances of going all the way this term following their 6-1 win over Schalke in the first leg of their round of 16 tie last week.
"We have to believe we can win the Decima. We're working towards that and the truth is that we are doing a good job, both in La Liga and in the Champions League," the centre-half told Record.
"And we've got the [Copa del Rey] final, too. We're doing really well at the best stage of the season. We are a consistent and reliable team."
Pepe then went on to voice his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo and outlined the way in which the attacker astounds his team-mates with his professionalism and desire to improve.
"Cristiano surprises us every day. He doesn't have any limits," the defender said of the current Ballon d'Or holder.
"He has the mindset of always wanting to do more. He's always trying to beat last year's goal record and that's why he's so exceptional."
Arsenal have 'no chance' against Bayern Munich - Breitner
Feb 19, 2014 1:35:00 PM
The former Germany international believes the Gunners will not prevent Pep Guardiola's side from marching towards a second-successive Champions League title
EXCLUSIVE
By Shikharr Chandra
Former Bayern Munich midfielder Paul Breitner believes Arsenal have "no chance" of victory in the Champions League last-16 tie.
The Bavarian giants beat Arsene Wenger's side at the same stage of the competition last year and the former Bayern and Germany star believes the outcome will be much the same ahead of the first leg at the Emirates on Wednesday.
"We are favourites and I don't believe Arsenal will get anything out of this tie," the 62 year-old told Goal.
"We want to win, we want to repeat the victory of last season. We want to win the Champions League again and Arsenal will have no chance."
Breitner went on to suggest that the Bundesliga champions could well make history this year by becoming the first team to win the Champions League in consecutive seasons.
"I expect and I am conviced that we will be the first team in the history of the Champions League who will win the competition back to back," said the 1973-74 European Cup winner.
Breitner went on to stress that Pep Guardiola's current side cannot be compared with that of Franz Beckenbauer due to the differences in the speed of modern football.
"You cannot compare the two sides. My times and the times of Pep Guardiola's side are very different because football has changed dramatically during the last 10 to 12 years," said the World Cup winner.
"Football has become a high speed sport. Football has to be played today with a speed much higher compared to the time when we played football.
"Therefore I could say that we have the best squad ever but today we have 25 players and 22-23 are international players. In my time we had a squad of 17 players where only four or five were international players, so this is a very important difference."
Breitner also featured for Real Madrid for three years in his career but insists his sole concern is for Bayern's hopes of success this season.
He added: "Real Madrid? I am only interested in how Bayern Munich does and in my hopes that we will win the Champions League, and not Real Madrid or Barcelona."
The Netherlands international remains furious that the French coach suggested that he was guilty of playacting after being fouled by Wojciech Szczesny at the Emirates last month
Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben has accused Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger of being a bad loser.
The Dutch attacker remains upset that the French coach alleged that he had dived to win the penalty that resulted in Gunners goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny being dismissed in the first half of the Bavarians' Champions League victory at the Emirates last month.
Indeed, Robben has not only denied that he was guilty of playacting, he has also claimed that he was lucky to have avoided "serious injury".
"Shivers went down my spine when I saw footage of the foul again. Things could have gone horribly wrong. I have been quite lucky," the former Chelsea winger told De Telegraaf.
"Wenger's comments are typical for a losing coach. I don't care much about it, because it's not the first time he acts like this.
"It was a pretty scary moment for me. I picked up a serious injury in December after a similar foul from Augsburg's goalkeeper."
The second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie between Bayern and Arsenal is scheduled to take place at the Allianz Arena on March 12.
Bayern getting ‘better and better’ under Guardiola, says old rival Mourinho
Pep Guardiola has unmistakably made Bayern Munich a better side this season, according to his old La Liga sparring partner Jose Mourinho.
Eurosport – Thurs, Mar 6, 2014
Bayern getting 'better and better' under Guardiola, says old rival Mourinho
Jose Mourinho thinks Bayern Munich are still improving despite last season's clean sweep of major trophies.
Guardiola faced a daunting task when taking over from treble-winner Jupp Heynckes in the summer but Bayern are unbeaten in the Bundesliga under the Catalan coach, breaking records on a near weekly basis, and have a 2-0 lead over Arsenal after the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
Mourinho, who developed a vigorous rivalry with Guardiola in La Liga as he managed Real Madrid at a time when the former Spain international coached great rivals Barcelona, says Bayern's evolution into such a dominant team is a process which started some years ago.
[MOURINHO SIGNS FOR YAHOO]
But he says Guardiola – who has made some significant changes such as installing Philipp Lahm as a central midfielder - has improved on the team that was bequeathed to him.
The Chelsea manager was speaking in his capacity as Yahoo's new Global Football Ambassador for 2014, which means the only place you can get Mourinho's World Cup analysis is with us this summer.
“I think they are getting better and better,” said Mourinho. “I think this new Bayern started with Louis van Gaal, who ... starts cleaning the team of all the players and starting with [Thomas] Mueller and [Bastian] Schweinsteiger and [Holger] Badstuber and Toni Kroos, he was starting with these people and took the team to the Champions League final in 2010.
“After that comes Jupp Heynckes, unbelievable work, and the team kept becoming better and better and they won it, and now Guardiola also is a fantastic coach and I think [they are] naturally improving. So over the last years as a club they are doing very well.”
'A long way to La Decima' - Real Madrid midfielder Illarramendi
By Miles Chambers
Mar 6, 2014 1:46:00 PM
The midfielder tempered increasing hysteria around the possibility of a 10th European title for Real Madrid, though he is quietly hoping they can succeed
Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi has played down the possibility of the club landing La Decima this season, insisting there's "a long way to go" before European glory.
The Blancos defeated Schalke 6-1 in the opening leg of their Champions League last-16 tie and look certain to progress to the quarter-final stage barring a miraculous comeback at the Santiago Bernabeu from Jens Keller's men.
The emphatic victory, on the back of an unbeaten group stage, has led some to predict that this will be the campaign that Madrid finally bag their 10th European cup, but the 23-year-old is well aware that tougher tests lie ahead for Carlo Ancelotti's men.
"Clearly, we and all the fans hope we can bag the Champions League trophy this season," he said at a promotional event. "However, there is still a long way to go.
"We must continue like we did against Schalke and hopefully all goes well. With the help of the fans, maybe we can get to the final and win."
Fellow Madrid youngster Casemiro also called for calm on the Champions League front and claims that the current leaders of La Liga are taking the 2013-14 season one match at a time.
"There are fans across Europe who are hoping their team can win the Champions League, but I would tell ours to remain calm," the Brazilian said.
"I think we've started well in the last 16 against Schalke but, as the coach said, we're taking it game by game. It will be very difficult, but we'll try to win it."
Real Madrid are back in action on Sunday at home to Levante following the midweek international break.
Van Gaal hoping Champions League final disrupts Spain
MADRID Sat Mar 8, 2014 11:04am GMT
Netherlands' coach Louis van Gaal looks on after an official photo at the Team Workshop for the 2014 World Cup in Florianopolis in Santa Catarina state, February 19, 2014. REUTERS/Sergio Moraes
(Reuters) - Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal is hoping as many Spain players as possible feature in the Champions League final on May 24 so the holders have less time to prepare for their June 13 World Cup Group B clash.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque may have to wait until after the European club showpiece in Lisbon before he can begin preparations for the finals in Brazil with squad members from the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
In a worst case scenario, if Barca and Real meet in the Champions League final, 12 or more Spain players could be involved, including midfielders Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Cesc Fabregas and first and second choice goalkeepers Iker Casillas and Victor Valdes.
Van Gaal may have to wait for Bayern's Arjen Robben to join up with the squad but others like Robin van Persie of Manchester United or Paris St Germain's Gregory van der Wiel are unlikely to play in Lisbon.
"Maybe we will be luckier and he (Del Bosque) will have more players in the final," Van Gaal said in an interview with Spanish sports daily Marca published on Saturday.
"Hopefully there will be a lot of Spaniards on May 24 in Lisbon," added the 62-year-old, a former Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach who is in his second stint in charge of Netherlands.
The meeting between Spain and Netherlands in Salvador, a repeat of the 2010 final, may be crucial in deciding who goes through as Group B winners to face the runners-up from a Group A featuring Brazil, Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon.
The team that finishes second in Group B, which also includes Chile and Australia, is likely to face the hosts in the last 16 but Van Gaal said he was not letting that prospect become a distraction.
"We are going to play to top the group and we won't be looking at whether we meet Brazil or not," he told Marca.
"First we have to play the world and European champions then Chile, who have enormous potential, and then Australia.
"Although it seems crazy, we have never been able to beat Australia in the three matches we have played.
"Trying to get through the group is enough. You cannot say we had luck in the draw."
NEXT STOP
Van Gaal reiterated his interest in managing an English Premier League club once his contract with Netherlands ends after the World Cup and again mentioned Tottenham Hotspur as a possible destination.
"I would like to coach in England. I already worked in Spain, Germany and Holland," he said.
"The Premier League could be the next stop for me, that's what I would like most to complete my career.
"Tottenham has been talked about but for sure there will be other places.
"It depends on a lot of things, when I decide to say farewell to the Dutch federation.
"The first thing is the World Cup. Working with players on a day to day basis is something I miss."
(Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Patrick Johnston)
UEFA Champions League Preview: Bayern Munich v Arsenal
9 March 2014
Arsenal will need to summon a repeat of their last trip to Bayern Munich to stand a chance of UEFA Champions League progression on Tuesday.
Arsene Wenger's men are 2-0 down from the first leg of their last-16 tie, but will take confidence from their last visit to the Allianz Arena at this stage last year when they won 2-0, only to be eliminated on the away-goals rule.
Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller netted for the Bundesliga outfit at the Emirates Stadium after both sides had missed first-half penalties, while Arsenal saw Wojciech Szczesny red carded.
However, if Arsenal can match the result of last March, they will at least take the tie to extra time.
The London club's Premier League form has faltered in recent weeks, but a 4-1 triumph over Everton on Saturday to reach the FA Cup semi-finals could prove inspirational as they prepare to head to Germany.
"It was important of course for us to win (on Saturday) to put us on a psychological front in a good mind and we can be inspired by our focus, by our desire and go to Bayern with the same spirit," Wenger said after the clash.
"The statistics go against us at Bayern but let's make sure the performance goes for us, then we have a chance."
Winning in Munich is no mean feat - the runaway Bundesliga leaders have not lost at home domestically since October 2012.
However, a home defeat to Manchester City in the group stages of this season's competition goes to show that Bayern are not unbeatable on home soil, particularly when it comes to English clubs.
Xherdan Shaqiri, Thomas Muller and Franck Ribery all returned from injury to fire Bayern to a 6-1 thrashing of Wolfsburg in the German top flight on Saturday, and will undoubtedly be a huge boost to their chances of making it to the quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Arsenal will be without the suspended Szczesny, while Jack Wilshere is sidelined for around six weeks after picking up a foot injury in England's friendly victory over Denmark at Wembley last Wednesday.
Aaron Ramsey (thigh) and Kim Kallstrom (back) are nearing a return but are not thought to be in contention, and Laurent Koscielny (hamstring) and Nacho Monreal (foot) remain doubtful.
Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby (both knee) are long-term absentees.
UEFA Champions League Preview: Atletico Madrid v Milan
9 March 2014
Milan's hopes of winning a trophy this season rest on them coming from behind against Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
A Diego Costa header seven minutes from time at San Siro ensured the Spanish side will defend a 1-0 lead in the second leg of their last-16 tie at the Vicente Calderon on Tuesday.
Clarence Seedorf's side have endured a tough campaign, with the Dutchman making a mixed start to his coaching career since the departure of Massimiliano Allegri in January.
Seedorf was at the helm when Milan crashed out of the Coppa Italia to Udinese, while a total of 13 points from a possible 24 under his stewardship has not been enough to lift Milan out of a mid-table position in Serie A.
Therefore, Seedorf must oversee success against the team of old playing foe Diego Simeone to keep alive his chances of tasting success in his first season at the helm.
Milan come into the clash off the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Udinese on Saturday.
However, the likes of Kaka and Adel Taarabt were left out of the starting line-up for that encounter, with the latter - together with Michael Essien and Mario Balotelli - playing a cameo role ahead of Tuesday's trip to Madrid.
"We need to continue working hard, believing that we're on the right track ahead of Tuesday. We'll give our responses out on the pitch," Seedorf is quoted as saying by Milan's official website.
"I'm not worried. We need to think positive and be optimistic.
"We need to be convinced about our abilities to give a good performance and turn the situation around."
While Milan are not challenging for their domestic title, Atletico remain firmly in contention for La Liga glory after David Villa's quickfire brace earned a 2-0 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday.
That success was Atletico's first since beating Milan and Simeone's men were able to pick up three points without the suspended Costa - who will return to action in midweek.
Costa has five goals in four European outings this season and his presence will bolster an Atletico side looking to secure a first Champions League quarter-final appearance since 1997.
Atletico conceded just one goal at home in the group stages, scoring nine, and former Argentina international Simeone feels Saturday's win has provided the club with a welcome lift.
"This feeds the group's confidence and we're looking good for the end of the season," he said.
"We were thinking about winning (Saturday's) match because it was very important (but) there will be time to prepare for the match on Tuesday."
While Milan's leading goalscorer Balotelli and defender Cristian Zapata made their return in Saturday's defeat, Seedorf will be without captain Riccardo Montolivo due to suspension.
Tiago and Javier Manquillo are Simeone's main absentees, the former suffering knee and wrist injuries in the La Liga defeat to Almeria last month and the latter fracturing a vertebrae in the Madrid derby.
Pep Guardiola is wary of the threat that Arsenal will pose to Bayern Munich in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League last-16 second-leg tie.
Bayern come into the game at the Allianz Arena as strong favourites after goals from Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller earned them a 2-0 advantage in the first leg in London.
Despite that significant lead, Guardiola knows the danger that Arsene Wenger's side carry, especially Germany international Mesut Ozil.
"Arsenal have lots of good players like Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil," he said.
"They pass and move very well. Their quality is always there to see.
"I know Arsene Wenger well and so do my players. They know what they have to do.
"Arsene works really well with young players and never changes his style. He's one of the best coaches around.
"It's a massive game tomorrow so I expect a huge performance from Ozil and the rest of their team."
Guardiola also praised Kroos and David Alaba, with the former being the subject of speculation over a move away from the club at the end of the season.
"He's a very good player and has lots of time to improve," the Spaniard added.
"He's played very well this season and I hope that continues.
"David is an unbelievable player. He has no fear, is disciplined, a team player and plays well in the biggest games.
"In Alaba, Bayern have an outstanding player for the next 10 or even 12 years."
Kroos, meanwhile, refused to be drawn on talk about his future.
"I've read a lot about myself in England but the situation is the same. My decision will be made in the summer," he said.
Olivier Giroud has urged Arsenal to believe in themselves as they seek to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
Defeat at the Emirates Stadium last month means Arsenal must repeat their feat of 2013 and score at least two goals at the Allianz Arena in the UEFA Champions League.
Arsenal won 2-0 in Germany at the same stage of the competition last year, going out on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate draw, but since then only four visiting teams have scored two or more goals at Bayern's home.
Despite the daunting task ahead of them, Giroud insists that Arsene Wenger's men can still progress to the quarter-finals as long as they maintain their self-belief.
The Frenchman told the club's official website: "Hopefully we can keep a clean sheet first because we need to keep our goal clean and maybe if we score early, why not?
"We have a good chance if we believe in our quality, and if we put the same commitment in (as against Everton on Saturday) and the same determination I think we have a good chance.
"Bayern are a really good team so it will be a tough game, but I think we have a chance to go through."
Wenger, whose side beat Everton 4-1 in the FA Cup quarter-finalst at the weekend, will hope to take a leaf out of Manuel Pellegrini's book after the Chilean guided Manchester City to victory at Bayern in the competition's group stages.
