After reaching the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the third year running with a 5-3 aggregate win over Galatasaray AŞ, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuaín both stressed the importance of Real Madrid CF going one step further than in 2011 and 2012.

There was pride mixed with a sense of what might have been for Felipe Melo and Hamit Altıntop after Galatasaray AŞ bowed out of the UEFA Champions League with a stirring victory over Real Madrid CF.

"This is something very exciting," said Didier Drogba, as the hero of last year's final hopes to repeat his feat with new club Galatasaray AŞ as they look to overturn a three-goal deficit.

Sergio Ramos told Champions Matchday that Real Madrid CF cannot "set off fireworks just yet" but spirits are high ahead of the quarter-final second leg with Galatasaray AŞ.

Despite a 3-0 defeat for Galatasaray AŞ in the first-leg of their quarter-final tie at Real Madrid CF, Felipe Melo and Emmanuel Eboué told UEFA.com that they believe their side can still make the last 4.

Sergio Ramos told UEFA.com of his delight at Real Madrid CF’s 3-0 quarter-final first-leg victory over Galatasaray AŞ, while Ángel Di María added that it was a “great” result for his club.

Sami Khedira is glad to see two Bundesliga sides in the last eight for the first time since 2002, the Germany player telling UEFA.com: "The academies and league give great education."

As Galatasaray AŞ midfielder Hamit Altıntop looks ahead to a reunion, the message from the Real Madrid CF camp is clear: underestimate the Turkish outfit at your peril.

Hamit Altıntop told UEFA.com that it felt ‘strange’ to have scored against his former club as Galatasaray AŞ eliminated FC Schalke 04 4-3 on aggregate, whilst Nordin Amrabat praised his club’s supporters after the Turkish side progressed to the quarter-finals

Benedikt Höwedes and Teemu Pukki both told UEFA.com that FC Schalke 04 should be proud of their achievements in Europe this season despite losing 4-3 on aggregate to Galatasaray AŞ after a 3-2 second leg defeat in Germany

Mathieu Flamini told UEFA.com of his disappointment after AC Milan were knocked out of the competition after a 4-0 second leg defeat to FC Barcelona

Benedikt Höwedes has been at FC Schalke 04 since he was 13, almost half his lifetime, but as he prepares to lead the side out against Galatasaray AŞ he admits the novelty has not worn off.

Julian Draxler told UEFA.com FC Schalke 04 “did well” to draw 1-1 at Galatasaray AŞ, whilst Klaas-Jan Huntelaar added that his side will head into the second leg confident they can qualify for the quarter-finals

Toulouse FC loanee Umut Bulut is experiencing a memorable season with Galatasaray AŞ – a club at which he has friends, European football and two new high-profile team-mates.

"Even though I am Turkish and I know the city, living here is quite different," Hamit Altıntop tells UEFA.com as he continues to find his feet in a new city with Galatasaray AŞ.

Cristiano Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford for the first time since leaving Manchester United FC for Real Madrid CF while FC Barcelona were paired with AC Milan in the round of 16 draw.

Burak Yılmaz and Custódio spoke to UEFA.com after Galatasaray AŞ beat SC Braga 2-1 to qualify for the First Knockout Round.

"Even though I am Turkish and even though I know the city, living here is quite different," said Hamit Altıntop, who has found Istanbul life more of a challenge than playing for Galatasaray AŞ.

Hamit Altıntop and Michael Carrick gave their thoughts to UEFA.com after Galatasaray AŞ earned a 1-0 win in Group H over Manchester United FC.

"This is Galatasaray's most important game this season," Bülent Korkmaz told UEFA.com as we look ahead to the Turkish side's Group H trip to CFR 1907 Cluj in our latest quick-fire interview.

Dany Nounkeu and Felice Piccolo gave their reaction to UEFA.com after Galatasaray AŞ drew 1-1 with CFR 1907 Cluj in Group H

Rúben Micael and Umut Bulut spoke to UEFA.com after SC Braga’s 2-0 victory over Galatasaray AŞ in Istanbul.

Manchester United's Nani and Galatasaray's Fernando Muslera speak to UEFA.com after the teams' matchday one encounter at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson and Javier Hernández speak before Manchester United FC's Group H encounter against Galatasaray AŞ.

Turkey striker Burak Yılmaz discusses his move to Galatasaray AŞ, about thriving under Fatih Terim's brand of tough love and his UEFA Champions League aspirations.