Madrid won´t underestimate Galatasaray

15 March 2013 19:07

Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka has spoken of his respect for his side's Champions League quarter-finals opponents Galatasaray.

The La Liga giants received a favourable draw on Friday, avoiding several big guns and being paired with the Turkish Super Lig leaders.

But with Jose Mourinho's men set to face a side containing the experience of Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba, Karanka is unwilling to underestimate Galatasaray.

"If they are still playing in the Champions League it is for a reason," Karanka said.

"It's the quarter-finals and they have very experienced players but as we always say, we have plenty of La Liga games ahead before that match so we'll have the time to talk about them.

"Now we focus on tomorrow's match (against Mallorca)."

While Real Madrid advanced with a 3-2 aggregate win over Manchester United, Galatasaray battled past Schalke.

A 3-2 win in the second leg in Germany set up Galatasaray's victory and Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno said it was vital his side set up the tie with a strong result at home.

"They are a very competitive team as they have proved. They went to Germany with a 1-1 draw, everything was against them and they turned it around which says a lot about them," he said.

"The second match will be in Turkey and we know how fans are there so we need to get a good result in Madrid - it'll be easier there. Having said this we are confident."

Galatasaray assistant coach Umit Davala, who played in their 5-3 quarter-final loss to Real in the 2000/2001 Champions League, was glad to avoid Barcelona in the draw.

"It could be worse for us, by drawing Barcelona for example," he said.

"At the end you need to play against such teams if you want to make it to the final. Sometimes you get them in the semis and sometimes in the quarter-finals.

"We have got them now but we have the advantage of playing them first in Madrid and then at home. Real play offensive football, we play offensive football.

"If we score one or two goals away, we will have an even bigger advantage. We have a great stadium and great fans who will push us so I say it's 50-50."