Butragueno: UCL doesn't give you presents
Real Madrid favourite Emilio Butragueno says "Europe doesn't give you any presents" as he moved to quash talk of an easy quarter-final tie with Galatasaray.
By FOX Sports Staff
Butragueno is now director of institutional relations at the nine times European champions and does not believe Real have a routine UEFA Champions League match-up against the Turkish giants.
"Europe doesn't give you any presents," he was quoted as saying on the competition's website.
"You never know. On paper it looks like there were stronger and more difficult teams to be drawn against, but in football and especially this competition it's difficult to beat any opponent.
"We have maximum respect. It's a very prestigious competition and also very dangerous. Any mistake, any bad night and you can be eliminated".
Galatasaray caused a minor upset when they defeated Schalke 3-2 on Tuesday to progress to the last-eight 4-3 on aggregate at the expense of the German Bundesliga outfit.
Among the star names the Turks can boast having in their ranks include Chelsea legend Didier Drogba and Dutch international Wesley Sneijder.
"Galatasaray showed against Schalke how competitive they are, how brave they are," Butragueno said.
"We know how passionate the Turkish fans are; we need to keep that in mind and achieve a great result at the Bernabeu in the first leg. We are off the pace in the Liga so the UEFA Champions League is even more important."
The first leg will be played in the Spanish capital on April 3rd with the return leg in Turkey set for the following week.