Valverde: Real Madrid players excited facing Bayern Munich

Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde says the players are excited facing Bayern Munich tonight.

Real meet Bayern in Germany for the first-leg of their Champions League semifinal.

Valverde said: Every game is difficult in this competition and every team deserves the utmost respect. Bayern have won many titles and they're a team like Madrid who fight to the end to get their hands on the trophy. We have to show them the same respect we showed Manchester City. We have to get the best out of our dressing room. We have great players with real quality and commitment, and they really want to win another trophy for Real Madrid.

We're excited. It's the first time that I play against this team in the competition. I have faith and I'm eager to play. I'm happy for all I'm experiencing with this team. You have to appreciate every moment defending these colours and this jersey. Winning this competition is so valuable and it's a beautiful thing.

I'm enjoying getting so much game time, starting games. It's beautiful to compete at Real Madrid, I love it and I try and take all I can from the coaching staff and my teammates. We have to make the most of our good form.

Luck is absolutely necessary in this competition, like we saw in the Champions League a couple of years ago, against Manchester City for instance. Logic says they should have knocked us out but we qualified having cleared two off the line. That's known as champions' luck, we have to take advantage of it and enjoy it. The further the ball is from our goal, the better, but you need a bit of luck at both ends of the pitch.

I have absolutely confidence in my team. We have to respect our opposition and the club we're up against. We have real faith in the players here. The defenders, the midfielders and forwards. We're excited, hungry to make the final and we'll fight to do just that."