Fenerbahçe's star trio on the first leg with Braga
Thursday, March 10, 2016
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Caner Erkin, Robin van Persie, Nani discuss the task that awaits Fenerbahçe tonight, including home advantage, positive omens and the Turkish leaders' good run of form.
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Caner Erkin, full-back
If we can get a positive result from the home first leg it will be significant – as it was in the last round against Lokomotiv Moskva when we got an important 2-0 win in the first match. We want to do the same again, so we can go to their place more relaxed. Either way, we have enough strength at the moment to beat them home or away.
Robin van Persie, forward
I faced Braga about [four] years ago with Manchester United. They were very tough games. We went behind in Portugal; I came off the bench and scored the equaliser before Wayne Rooney scored the second [United finished 3-1 victors].
At home we were very quickly 2-0 down in the first half, although we ended up winning 3-2. But it was a very tough match. If I'm correct, they beat Porto 3-1 at the weekend. That says a lot – we are facing a very good team.
Nani, winger
It's always good to meet teams from your own country, but that's not the important thing. It's about winning because ultimately if you don't win it's for nothing. We know we have a chance against Braga, so we will try to do our best to continue the progress we have made in recent games.
[On Braga-United in 2012:] It was not good because I picked up an injury and went off, although we did win. I didn't see Robin score because I was inside, but I hope he can score again. Let's maintain this focus and play as hard as we have done of late and get the win.