How do you assess your probabilities of profitable and thus advancing to the semifinals?Julian Brandt: “I believe we should always take the optimistic facets from the Champions League sport we performed in opposition to Actual in October (2-5 loss after main 2-0 at halftime). We skilled issues there from which, hopefully, we realized. We don’t want to cover. In fact, now we have plenty of respect for Actual – however we additionally know that we will rating objectives as a result of we’ve already proven that. We performed a superb first half in Madrid; for my part, we performed a superb sport again then. However we merely must study that the sport lasts 90 minutes, not simply 45. It’s a remaining. Something can occur in 90 minutes – that’s how quarter-final matches are. And I imagine Actual Madrid has enormous respect for us. Additionally they know that we’re not coming right here simply to park the bus.”
Pascal Groß: “I believe it is going to be an especially thrilling sport. We needed to work our approach into the event a bit, however now the quarterfinal in opposition to Actual is a giant match – I’m wanting ahead to it and we need to advance. In fact, so much has to come back collectively: Actual Madrid is the most important group on the earth with absolute prime stars. We have to have a prime day, we have to enhance once more, we want a little bit of match luck. We have now to defend effectively and take the probabilities we get. Actual has world-class gamers and I’m actually excited to measure ourselves in opposition to them. Despite the fact that they play excessive possession soccer, possibly there’s house behind that we will exploit. In any other case, at soccer of this degree, it’s at all times the little issues that determine.”
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You’ve already performed at MetLife Stadium within the group stage. Is that a bonus?Pascal Groß: “Each stadium right here is completely different. However sure, we’ve performed right here earlier than, and that helps us. The ball gained’t bounce a lot, however now we all know that. In the end, it’s the identical for everybody. We simply have to just accept the situations as rapidly as doable – together with the warmth, however these shouldn’t be excuses. You want the ball, it’s important to handle your power a bit.”
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Julian, how a lot are you wanting ahead to reuniting with Jude Bellingham?Julian Brandt: “I’ve at all times loved taking part in with Jude. He’s a incredible participant and I actually loved our time collectively. However it’s not nearly Jude, there are a lot of different gamers at Actual who’re sensational. I believe we’re effectively ready for the group and we all know it is going to be a really, very excessive degree.”