(This entry was originally published in this blog December 2008 and it is based on the information of that time.)
Real Madrid is going through a bad patch of time at this moment. The two-time defending champion lost four out of their last five matches in La Liga and they are already out of Spanish Cup. With 12 points adrift of leader Barcelona midway through the season, Real Madrid’s hopes of title defense has seemingly come to an end after the 2-0 defeat at rival Barcelona last week. Now, the only way Real Madrid can win silverware this season is Champions League. However, the Los Blancos has been drawn against English side Liverpool in the first round of the knock out stage of the competition. That means, they have to be at their best to edge past Liverpool to get into the quarter final of the tournament.
However, Pedja Mijatovic, Real Madrid Director of Sport, vows that Real Madrid will win the Champions League title this season, besides showing the due respect to Liverpool who had good run in Champions League over the last few seasons including 2005 triumph.
Xinhuanet reported:
“The team can play two good games and get through the round,” he told the club’s official website.
“At this stage of the competition there are no easy teams and if you want to go a long way, then the harder the rival the better. You do not get this far if you do not have a real quality team,” he added.
“We go into the tie full of confidence, up to now we have always done well against English teams. We can do it and we have high hopes of having a great campaign. Nobody is going to lack motivation,” said Mijatovic.
Real Madrid has already lost two key players Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and Mali international Mahamadou Diarra for the rest of the season to injury and the team is yet to come to terms with the two big blows. So, it is pretty much sure that Real Madrid is going to land a number of players during the January transfer window. If they can bring some good players who can bridge the gap created by the injury of Nistelrooy and Diarra, then, I think, the Spanish giants can make a strong bid for the Champions League title.
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