Source: SKY_Sports
Higuain eyes Reds scalp
Gonzalo Higuain is confident that Real Madrid can establish a first leg lead in their meeting with Liverpool.[LNB] The two European heavyweights are set to go head-to-head at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.[LNB]Real have been eliminated at this stage of the competition in each of the last four seasons and are desperate to bring an end to that sorry sequence of results.[LNB]The omens look good, with a comprehensive 6-1 mauling of Real Betis on Sunday suggesting Juande Ramos' men will enter their midweek encounter in high spirits.[LNB]"Now, after this win, we have to focus on the next game. Now it's the Champions League and we have to continue like this," said Higuain.[LNB]"We have to continue like that and remain strong mentally because there are some very important games coming up, the first of which is against Liverpool.[LNB]"Wednesday's game is another 'final'. It's going to be a very tough game against a very accomplished team who do very well in these sorts of ties.[LNB]"But Madrid are Madrid and this is always a bonus for us. We are going to work as hard as we can and we hope to pick up a positive result to take into the second leg.[LNB]"Fans need to come and support us. We're going to give everything on the pitch and I'm sure that we are going to give them a victory against Liverpool."[LNB]ClassicMeanwhile, Real's Portuguese defender Pepe is expecting a close contest between too evenly-matched sides.[LNB]"It is a European classic and I think that it will be interesting for us to see where we are," the centre-half said in Marca.[LNB]"I think Liverpool will come here to defend and we will have to be very focused on not losing the ball while keeping the pressure high and not allowing their best players any space.[LNB]"It will be a good duel with Fernando Torres and I expect that I will have to talk to Fabio (Cannavaro) a lot to organise the defence, but I think that we can stop him.[LNB]"Torres is a great player and has incredible quality. He is strong and quick and we will have to be at our best and always trying to think before he does."[LNB]
