The Amsterdammers will take on La Liga champions in their upcoming UEFA Champions League fixture on Wednesday, and the former Liverpool ace has expressed confidence that his side can upset the Madrid giants.
Ajax Amsterdam attacker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ryan-Babel-c31971, has heaped praise on Real Madrid ahead of his side’s upcoming UEFA Champions League tie against Jose Mourinho’s men. The 31-time Dutch champions will meet La Liga giants at Amsterdam Arena on Wednesday, October 3.
The 25-year-old, who returned to the Amsterdammers earlier this summer after unproductive spells at http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/TSG-1899-Hoffenheim-c40767, has expressed optimism ahead of the upcoming tie, and has revealed that his side can claim an upset result at home against
the nine-time European champions.
“We have to try and play our own game. Real Madrid are obviously a strong team and we will try to exploit their weaknesses, but we have to stay true to our own philosophy. You never know what will happen if we're on top of our game. Real Madrid are used
to playing against teams that sit deep and defend in numbers. Perhaps we can spring a surprise if we play our own game”, Babel was quoted as saying to Goal.com.
De Joden have struggled to perform in the Europe’s primary club competition in recent years. After failing to make progression to the knockout phase of the competition in the last two editions of the Champions League, the Amsterdam giants have set their
sights on reaching the round of 16 this term.
However, the Amsterdammers’ false start to their European voyage, losing 1-0 against Borussia Dortmund, has severely spoiled their hopes of finishing in the top two sides of their Group D, which contains the likes of Manchester City, Dortmund and Los Blancos.
Babel, who has plenty of experience of playing in the Europe’s most prestigious club tournament, has admitted that there is a gulf of class between playing in the Dutch top flight and in European competition.
“Teams like Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid are much more direct. The pace of the game is much higher and you try to prepare for that”, the former Hoffenheim forward concluded.
Nonetheless, the 25-year-old is hopeful that his side will be able to claim a surprising result at home on Wednesday.
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