Nuri Sahin is backing former club Real Madrid to reach the Champions League final. The Ex-Dortmund player also has faith in Paris Saint Germain and believes that they can make a comeback at the Etihad stadium. Champions League 1st leg semi-finals were nothing short of enthralling and the second leg is expected to be even better.
Real and Chelsea are 1-1 after first leg in Madrid, while City are strong favourites to reach their first ever Champions League final having secured a 2-1 advantage over PSG in Paris.
Speaking to Goal, Sahin said: “I think it will be an open game, as it was in the first leg. I’m really looking forward to it. Both sides are in a good moment, I would say. Chelsea are playing really well under Thomas Tuchel, and tactically they play really different. They play maybe the best football tactically right now. You can see that they have a plan, with three at the back. I know the coach and he’s very good tactically.”
“But on the other side, you have the boss of the Champions League in Real Madrid and Zinedine Zidane! They are still in a good moment, even if people maybe don’t think they are as strong. I have my fingers crossed for them, and I think they can do it But it will be a good game regardless.”
Sahin was all praises about Benzema:” For me it was really special to share a dressing room with these guys, and to see how professional they are and how good they are. Guys like Sergio Ramos and Benzema have been on the top level for the last 10-15 years, and I really enjoy their hunger. It’s crazy how they stay hungry still, even though they have won everything.”
Sahin is also a fan of the USMNT’s Christian Pulisic whom he lined up alongside at Dortmund.” I like Christian a lot” he said. “He was always a good player, you could see that, but what I liked especially was that he was always ready to listen and learn. He was always humbled; he was always focused on his goals and he was really determined. This is what I loved about him.”
“We still keep in touch. He’s a very good guy, and I hope that his impact at Chelsea can be even bigger. You see in his first seasons that there is an impact, as we saw in the first leg against Real Madrid, but I am sure there is a lot more to give.”
