Ozil confident of reaching Champions League final

18 April 2012 14:19

Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil remains convinced his side will reach the Champions League final despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their semi-final.

Madrid looked to have earned a 1-1 draw from their trip to Germany after Ozil's 53rd-minute goal had cancelled out Franck Ribery's first-half opener for Bayern, but the Bundesliga giants netted a 90th-minute winner through Mario Gomez.

"The 2-1 scoreline is bitter for us but I'm convinced that we will win at home. We believe in the strength that we have and I'm convinced that we will get through to the final," said the Germany international.

"I'm a little sad about the defeat, but I have a positive feeling. We'll be back in Munich."

Madrid defender Sergio Ramos added on his club's website: "It's a shame, we would've liked to get the draw, but these things happen in football.

"We were up against a very dangerous opponent who have great individual players."

The Spanish world and European champion is now hoping the Madrid fans will play their part in the Bernabeu for next week's second leg, where he admits his side may need to net more than once to get through.

He said: "Everybody has to make themselves heard and make our opponents feel that when they come to the Bernabeu.

"We need to go out to win the game, one goal may not be enough. We have to go for it from the start."

Source: PA