Luka Modric believes Real Madrid's older players are still hungry for Champions League glory.
Croatia midfielder Modric, 35, has lifted the trophy four times with Madrid since he joined them in 2012 and is the eldest of seven players in their squad aged 30 or over.
Sergio Ramos (34), Karim Benzema (33), Marcelo (32), Toni Kroos (31), Nacho (31) and Eden Hazard (30) are the other Madrid players of a certain vintage.
Los Blancos did not make it beyond the last 16 in the previous two seasons after defeats to Ajax and Manchester City in 2018-19 and 2019-20, respectively.
However, Madrid booked their place in the quarter-finals of this season's competition with a 3-1 (4-1 on aggregate) victory over Atalanta on Tuesday.
Modric completed more passes (89) than any other player in the match and had more touches (109) too, underlining his influence remains strong.
"The important thing was to get through as we have not done it in two years," Modric told Movistar.
"We have to go step by step and see where we can go, but we have shown that there is still a lot of hunger in this team and that they want to keep winning.
"I hope we can go far but it was a very important first step. It was a very demanding game, Atalanta is a very physical team, they push one by one across the pitch, they don't stop.
"I think we have done well from the beginning and very happy to be in the quarter-finals."
Modric provided an assist for Benzema to score the opening goal for Madrid, before a penalty from Ramos and Marco Asensio's late strike wrapped up the win shortly after a Luis Muriel free-kick for the visitors.
Five of Modric's last six assists in all competitions have been for Benzema and only in 2013-14 (three) has the Croatian managed more Champions League assists than his two this season - both of which came in this last-16 tie.
When asked how old he felt as a player Modric said "27" before playing down the significance of his advancing years.
He said: "I always say that you don't have to look at the years, what the player does on the field is important, it doesn't matter how old, or how old his passport is.
"My physique and with everything I have achieved here, I am still hungry to continue doing things well, I am working to achieve all this and I feel very good."
Madrid captain Ramos agreed with Modric's sentiments, adding: "In the end, when you have been taking care of yourself for so many years, when you sow you end up harvesting.
"We always try to give the highest level; people must value the performance. The objective was to get through with a good result."
Only Roberto Carlos (16) has scored more Champions League goals than Ramos (15) among all defenders in the competition.
Nevertheless, the experienced centre-back said there was no update on a new contract with Madrid, his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.
Ramos added: "I cannot report anything, when there is something new I will be the one to say so."
Sheffield United postpone Women’s Championship game after death of Maddy Cusack
Sheffield United’s FA Women’s Championship fixture against Crystal Palace, scheduled for this Saturday, has been postponed following the death of Maddy Cusack.
The 27-year-old, who had made over 100 appearances and also worked for the club as a marketing executive, died last Wednesday.
United said on social media: “Our @BarclaysWC fixture at Crystal Palace, scheduled for Saturday 30th September, has been postponed.
“The Blades asked for the game to be postponed following the recent devastating news of the passing of Maddy Cusack.
“A new date for the fixture will be announced in due course.”
The club paid tribute to Cusack before the men’s team’s Premier League game against Newcastle on Sunday, with players wearing shirts bearing her name and number and a minute’s silence held in her honour.
In a statement of their own, Palace said: “The thoughts and condolences of everybody at the club are with Maddy’s friends, family, team-mates and colleagues.”
‘Upset and angry’ Real Madrid look to get back on track after derby defeat
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti shrugged off any criticism from Sunday’s derby defeat as his “upset and angry” team look for an immediate response against Las Palmas.
Los Blancos lost 3-1 to city rivals Atletico on Sunday after opening the season with six straight wins in all competitions.
That was only the second time in 15 LaLiga clashes that Real had been beaten by Atletico and they host Las Palmas on Wednesday having dropped to third in the table, trailing Barcelona and Girona by a point.
“It’s normal when you’re the Real Madrid coach to receive criticism if things don’t go well. It doesn’t affect me,” Ancelotti told a press conference.
“I have to assess what we did well, which is a lot, as well as the things we didn’t do so well against Atletico, which are few. The evaluation I make is different to everyone else’s.
“The players and I are aware of what we have to do better, considering that up until now we have done well, and we must carry on doing well by improving what we didn’t get right against Atletico.
“I could have done better, maybe. That’s quite clear. When the team doesn’t do the right thing it’s my responsibility. But I’ve got broad shoulders, it’s not a problem.
“We’d only conceded three goals in six games and in 45 minutes we’ve conceded three goals. We were weak. It’s fair to say that. It wasn’t a good night.
“Every system has its weaknesses. There’s no perfect system. We’ve got experienced and very reliable players.
“It’s a setback that could provide us with an opportunity to do things better. We’re upset and angry, as we always are when we lose. But we’ve done very well so far and we’ll continue to do well.”
Las Palmas sit 15th in the table having lost all of their three away games this term but Ancelotti remains cautious
“Every team has its strengths and features. Las Palmas play good football and like to control the ball,” said the former Chelsea manager. “As for us, we want to get back to winning ways and bounce back quickly after Sunday’s defeat.
“We have to go into games with a different mindset, given that we’ve been hurt a number of times in the opening minutes.”
Dani Carvajal, Vinicius Jr and Arda Guler are available again for Ancelotti after missing the derby but the boss remains unsure how much of a part they will play.
He added: “They’re all available and that’s very good news. I have to assess whether to give them minutes from the start or throughout the game.”
Darren Moore merrier for Huddersfield’s late goal and battling spirit
New Huddersfield boss Darren Moore was impressed by his side’s spirit after they came from behind to draw 1-1 at Coventry.
Michal Helik’s dramatic added-time qualiser cancelled out Yasin Ayari’s opener and ensured Moore’s managerial return did not end in a Sky Bet Championship defeat.
“It’s been an incredible few days getting into the club and working with the boys,” said Moore, who left Sheffield Wednesday in the summer.
“They have taken a lot of information on over the past couple of days. The fighting spirit was incredible and they got their just rewards and something out of the game at the end.
“I’m really pleased with the boys and their second-half performance. I’ve seen enough there and there’s enough quality in the team to get more out of the players and I’ll look forward to working with the boys over the next couple of weeks.
“Once we grew into the game we had to throw caution to the wind and change things up. I thought the boys did that themselves by the way they controlled large parts of the second half and gave themselves confidence.
“Come the end we had to go all out to try and get something out of the game and I’m pleased we fashioned a really good chance and took it.”
The 49-year-old continued: “I’m pleased for the travelling away support that they’ve gone back up north with something to get hold of – and hopefully (there are) encouraging signs from the team.
“I’m looking forward to my first home game in charge against Ipswich. I’m looking forward to being back in front of the home fans.”
Mark Robins was frustrated after seeing his side – play-off finalists last season – concede late for a third successive game.
It means they have dropped nine points from winning positions, the most in the Championship, this season.
Robins said: “It’s so frustrating but you have to dust yourselves down and get on with it.
“We could have won every game we’ve played in, but we’re sitting here talking about eight points in eight games. It will turn around, but it’s painful getting there.
“It [conceding late] can start to become a thing. It’s about taking control of those situations.
“I think if you let your heart rule your head at times because you know that’s been the case and you know we’re within touching distance of winning the game, the game can kick you in the teeth if you make mistakes.
“They had bodies and a weight of numbers in their favour, but we have to do better. The defending wasn’t good enough.
“You can’t get that momentum if you lose some of your players. It’s not an excuse. We’ve got a small squad with some key individuals out. It’s going to take some time.”
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