Posted On Friday, 5th April 2013
Essien is now a key player for Real Madrid
Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien is confident his Real Madrid side will eliminate Galatasaray from the Champions League and go on to win the crown this year.
Los Blancos were in smashing scoring form when they brushed the Turkish giants aside 3-0 in the first-leg, quarter-finals of the Champions League tie on Wednesday.
The result has put the Spanish giants in a firm position of reaching the semi-final of Europe’s flagship club competition and Essien insists Real have the quality to see off Galatasaray in the second leg Istanbul next week.
“We have been playing well recently, and more importantly scoring goals, and we hope to keep it that way against Galatasaray,” Essien said to The Sport Review.
“The squad is always ready for the big games and this is no different.
“They are an experienced side with Champions League winners in their side so they will pose problems, but as long as we stick to our game plan, I am confident we can go through.”
Real will be chasing their first title if they eliminate Galatasary next week and their Ghanaian loanee says they are determined to go all the way in the competition.
“Of course we understand the desire of the fans to win the 10th European cup. It’s not only the fans who want it, the players, the management and the whole club want to win,” Essien stated.
“The coach wants a third one, I want my second one [back to back], those who haven’t won it before want to taste it for the first time and so on.”
He added: “Real Madrid want to be at the top and winning the Champions League is one way of being at the top.”
Madrid last won the Champions League in 2001-02 when it beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1.