The UEFA Champions League group stage kicks off this Tuesday, featuring a clash between Galatasaray and Real Madrid in Group B. Notably, these two teams met in the quarter-finals last season, with Real Madrid ultimately advancing (5-3). However, Galatasaray secured a memorable victory (3-2) in the same series against the Real Madrid side led by José Mourinho. Didier Drogba, the Galatasaray striker and a pivotal figure in that encounter, is optimistic about his team’s chances.
Reflecting on their past success against Real Madrid, Drogba stated, “Even though we were eliminated, we managed to beat them. I hope we do this again because we have the qualities to beat Real Madrid.” The Ivorian international, who scored in the recent league draw against Antalyaspor (1-1), has a prolific record with 40 goals in the Champions League. As the winner of the 2012 edition with Chelsea, Drogba is eager to contribute to Galatasaray’s success.
Expressing his team-oriented mindset, Drogba emphasized, “I hope I can do better, but the important thing is what the team does. If I score and we win or qualify for the next round, then this goal will be important for me.” Drogba further highlighted his willingness to prioritize team success, stating, “If you tell me that we are going to win the Champions League without me scoring a goal, I accept it without a problem.” His focus is on collective achievement and advancing in the prestigious tournament.
