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Real Madrid's Emilio Butragueno wary of cold weather and artificial pitch after CSKA Moscow draw: One bad night and you're out of the Champions League
The former Spain striker and current director of institutional relations at the Spanish side says Jose Mourinho's men cannot afford to lose in the Russian capital in February
Dec 16, 2011 2:21:00 PM
By Ben Hayward
Real Madrid cannot afford to slip up in their Champions League second-round tie against CSKA Moscow, says Emilio Butragueno.
The Blancos were paired with the Russian side in Friday's draw in Switzerland and Butragueno, a former Madrid striker and currently the club's director of institutional relations, believes the cold weather in Moscow and CSKA's artificial pitch will make the tie a potential banana skin.
"In football you never know," he told reporters in Nyon after the draw.
"They are a dangerous opponent and other factors will come into play, such as the low temperature in Moscow in February. The playing surface will also be a novelty for us."
Madrid are one of the favourites to win this season's competition, but Butragueno believes the Spanish side will need to be at their best against the Russians before they can aspire to greater things.
"We have a great team and this season our performance has been very good, but it's very difficult to win titles these days," he explained.
"It won't be easy at all. A bad night in Europe means being knocked out. We will have to go game by game and try to give the best of ourselves and see if we finally have some luck."
The Blancos were paired with the Russian side in Friday's draw in Switzerland and Butragueno, a former Madrid striker and currently the club's director of institutional relations, believes the cold weather in Moscow and CSKA's artificial pitch will make the tie a potential banana skin.
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"In football you never know," he told reporters in Nyon after the draw.
"They are a dangerous opponent and other factors will come into play, such as the low temperature in Moscow in February. The playing surface will also be a novelty for us."
Madrid are one of the favourites to win this season's competition, but Butragueno believes the Spanish side will need to be at their best against the Russians before they can aspire to greater things.
"We have a great team and this season our performance has been very good, but it's very difficult to win titles these days," he explained.
"It won't be easy at all. A bad night in Europe means being knocked out. We will have to go game by game and try to give the best of ourselves and see if we finally have some luck."
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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