Champions League: Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund discussion

Emilio Butragueno has warned Real Madrid that although Borussia Dortmund are weaker this year than last, they are still dangerous.

The sides have been drawn against each other in the Champions League quarter finals and met four times in last season’s competition - twice in the group stage and then twice again in the semi-final.

Dortmund won 4-3 on aggregate to reach the final, where they lost to Bayern Munich, and after the draw Butragueno told Canal+ that Madrid can’t take the Germans lightly this time.

“Dortmund aren’t the same as last season but they are still competitive and Madrid have to be careful,” the former Madrid forward said.

“But I do think Madrid are well prepared for the tie having played four times last year.

Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, gave his first reactions to the Champions League Quarter-Finals draw against Borussia Dortmund, noting that his team must be at their best, to earn their passage to the Semi-Finals of the competition.

Having followed the Champions League Quarter-Finals draw very closely, Carlo Ancelotti gave his immediate thoughts to Real Madrid TV, noting that there are no weak sides and having being paired with German outfit Borussia Dortmund, his team face a very tough challenge.

“At this stage of the competition, all the best teams are there. Borussia have a very good squad, they’re a good team and have plenty of experience in this competition. Last season they reached the final and it will be one of the most open quarter-finals. We’re really enthusiastic and we’ll have to play well against such a competitive team.”

Analysing the German side, Ancelotti pointed out that because they’re so far behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund will likely identify the Champions League as a great opportunity for silverware this season.

“They’re out of the race for the Bundesliga and I think they’ll be really fired up for the Champions League. They’re a quality team, well organised, most of all defensively and they’re great on the counter-attack. To beat them, we’ll need to show courage and personality.”

Looking at the rest of the draw, Ancelotti believes that there are no favourites in any of the ties, as the best eight teams have made the quarter-finals.

“All the ties for the quarter-finals are very interesting. There’s the confrontation between two Spanish sides, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. PSG against Chelsea will be a very open tie and the last one, Bayern Munich will be more the favourites against Manchester United. These are the quarter-finals though and they’ll all be wide open.”