Pepe: "Being favourites does not win games"

Real Madrid defender Pepe says his side are prepared for a tough test in Turin on Tuesday night. Juventus were crowned Serie A champions at the weekend and the Portuguese international knows how tough of a challenge lies ahead for his side against the 'Old Lady'. As holders, Madrid will be slight favourites to progress to the Berlin final but Pepe says he and his team-mates will not be thinking about that when they step out into the Juventus Stadium. "We know how complicated the game will be and the difficulty of playing here, but we dream of reaching the final," he told Realmadrid.com in the pre-match press conference. "We will approach the game seriously and at this point in the competition being favourites does not win games. We are excited to be defending the title and the players picked by the manager will be really excited about playing a good game." He continued: "It is going to be a very difficult game against an Italian side who will want to defend the game and find the forwards they have. We are going to be prepared and we are confident of getting a good result in the first leg and playing a good game." Pepe helped Madrid to a big win in Seville at the weekend and says the club is still looking for a memorable double this term. "Last month we played well in every game and that means we are still fighting on all fronts," he said. "We want to reach the final everyone dreams of and fight for La Liga. That is the greatness of this club."