Sami Khedira: Defence will be key to victory against AC Milan
Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira thinks a solid defensive display will help his team overcome Italian side AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday, 2 November.
Khedira, who joined Real in July and has started all nine of the team's league and European games this season, is quickly becoming a household-favourite in Jose Mourinho's team.
Ahead of Tuesday's much anticipated game at the San Siro, the two-way midfielder told bwin.com that the stakes are the highest they could be for Real's opponents.
"The match in Milan will be very difficult. Milan will do their best to win. They took four points in their first three games, so they cannot afford another defeat," said the German, whose side is top of Group G with nine points from three games.
Khedira went on to describe Milan's attacking line, citing Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alexandre Pato, Ronaldinho Robinho, Clarence Seedorf and Daniel-Prince Boateng as "exceptional players" before adding that the Italians' central midfield pairing could cause problems
too.
"Gattuso and Pirlo are also very dangerous. They can push you against the ropes if you don't take them seriously. We will win if we concentrate hard on defending and if we help each other all over the pitch."
Conceding goals fatal in Europe
With his team playing away against such a gifted offence, Khedira said that Real's focus must be on keeping Milan from scoring — a tactic that wouldn't be acceptable if Mourinho's were playing at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.
"We will win the match if we keep a clean sheet. The teams that reach far in the Champions League are those who concede the fewest goals. That's the key to success. A good defence wins titles," the 23-year-old said, adding that the margins of error are slim
at the top of European football.
"The Champions League is like a marathon. You can't afford to be too confident in knock-out championships. You have to prepare as well as you can for each match."
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