The versatile Portuguese stopper believes Los Blancos are prime candidates to lift the prized European trophy at the end of the current season.
Real Madrid take on the challenge of CSKA Moscow in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. After boasting an impeccable group stage record in which they registered 18 points from 6 matches with a goal difference of +17, Los Blancos are confident enough
to qualify for the quarter-finals of the tournament.
The Whites travel to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Russia-c2991 for the first leg tie at the Luzhniki Stadium and ahead of their match, Coentrao tipped Real Madrid to progress to the quarter-finals at the expense of the Moscow giants.
The former Benfica player stated that Madrid will go far ahead in the competition as they have a squad glittering with exceptional players, and are favourites for the final which will take place at the Allianz Arena.
"Madrid have a team with great quality, we have some of the best players and every club in this stage of the Champions League is a favourite, so we are one of the favourites," he said.
Real Madrid will come face to face against a well-disciplined CSKA Moscow squad in sub-zero conditions, with the additional handicap of artificial turf at the Luzhniki Stadium. Coentrao admitted that they have a difficult assignment on their hands
but he expects his teammates to give their best on the pitch.
"The cold weather will make it a hard game and CSKA's quality will also make things difficult for us," he added. "We have to step onto the pitch, whether it is cold or not and leave with a victory."
After a much debated 30 million Euros transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu, Coentrao has failed to ignite the squad as much as it was expected of him. Deployed in various positions since his arrival, the Portuguese international still isn’t an integral
part of the Real Madrid roster.
The 23-year-old was consigned to the bench in Los Blancos recent match against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Racing-c40298 Santander and has made a paltry 13 La Liga appearances in over 6 months. However, the Rio Ave youth academy graduate stated that he is not upset with sitting on the
bench as long as the team is winning.
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