Ludogorets boss Georgi Dermendzhiev has said his side is not afraid to take on Real Madrid tonight.
The little known Bulgarian team take on the 10-time European Cup winners in the second group game. It is the club’s first ever appearance in the competiton, and they narrowly lost to Liverpool at Anfield two weeks ago.
Dermendzhiev said his team would go into the game respectful of their more illustrious opponents, but told reporters he wanted his players to not be overawed by the occasion.
Speaking at his press conference, the Ludogorets boss said: “Real Madrid are a galactic team, the best in the world, and we’re going out to enjoy it and play good football.
And he added: “It’s an honour to play against them as we’ve only been up there with the elite for the last four years, so it’s fantastic. However, we are not afraid of them. They’ve won 10 European Cups, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo cost €100m each, but there is no fear. They are an amazing team but we’ll go out and play our own game because when we are focused we can beat anyone.”
“We must concentrate at all times without worrying about the opposition,” he explained.
