Khedira: Madrid need an early goal against Dortmund

Sami Khedira believes an early goal is crucial for Real Madrid if they are to qualify for the Champions League final.

The Spanish side trail Borussia Dortmund 4-1 after the first leg in the Westfalenstadion and, while the German midfielder believes a turnaround is possible, he says it is important his side seize the initiative from the start.

“Scoring an early goal will be vital, but we have to keep a cool head as well,” said Khedira.

“This is our last chance to get things right again. In the first leg we didn’t convince as a team and we played a weak game,” he added.

“Now we have to achieve the impossible. Real Madrid have seen many a magical night at the Bernabeu, especially in the European Cup.

“We are going to try to add another one to the list and we will be aiming as high as possible.”

Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed Madrid’s only goal in the first leg and Khedira believes the Portugal international has a big part to play if his side are to progress to the final.

However, Khedira also pointed out that it would not be wise to rely solely on Ronaldo, explaining that Madrid need to play as a team against a Dortmund side who won their sixth match in a row at the weekend against Fortuna Dusseldorf.

“Anyone who knows Cristiano Ronaldo knows he is ready for any kind of game, whether it is a big game like this one or, let’s say, one of those games where there is almost nothing at stake,” Khedira said.

“Cristiano is a great professional, like the rest of the squad, but we need him and especially we need his goals this Tuesday. We all hope to play well as a team.”

Jose Mourinho’s men bounced back from the defeat to Dortmund last week with victory in La Liga over rivals Atletico Madrid.