Sami Khedira reveals he signed for Juventus to win the Champions League – “it’s time to win it”.
The Bianconeri are the most successful side in Serie A, but have failed to replicate that at European level, winning the European Cup – later Champions League – just twice, losing six finals.
“At some point you have to stop and think about your life and career,” Khedira explained, speaking to UEFA’s official website.
Sami Khedira reveals he signed for Juventus to win the Champions League – “it’s time to win it”.
The Bianconeri are the most successful side in Serie A, but have failed to replicate that at European level, winning the European Cup – later Champions League – just twice, losing six finals.
“At some point you have to stop and think about your life and career,” Khedira explained, speaking to UEFA’s official website.
“I understood that Real Madrid was the best thing that could have happened to me, I spent five wonderful years in Madrid, meeting special people and great players.
“At the age of 28 though, I had two choices: renew and finish my career in Madrid or look for a new challenge.
“I wanted something new, a new environment, something different – I needed to rediscover myself.
“Then I got the call from Juventus and it was immediately clear that I’d change clubs. Juve were Italian champions and had reached the Champions League final, they were regaining the aura of the past.
“For me it was a new country, a new culture and a new language. Talking to the Coach [Max Allegri] I realised I could play the role I wanted, to have more responsibility and be a leader. “It worked, and I think signing for Juventus was the best choice.
“The Champions League? If I remember correctly, Juventus haven’t won it since 1996 so I’d say it’s time to win it.
“That’s why I’m here, that’s why I signed for Juventus. But I also know that it’s not easy, you can dream about winning it but you always have to work hard to achieve it.
“I strongly believe that our squad can compete for the trophy, but we know that there are other very strong teams in the fight.
“In the Champions League, as you can see this year, there are eight teams which can realistically aspire to the trophy.
“There’s a good group of teams and great players who are all striving toward the same thing, so we know it’ll also take a bit of luck.
“We struggle and work every day for that dream of winning the Champions League. Last year we found ourselves against the toughest opponent in the Last 16, Bayern [Munich], and we went very close.
“In the end we were eliminated, but that’s how it goes, it could have gone either way. We just have to keep believing, and work even harder than the other teams.”
If Juve are to achieve their dream, Khedira believes Juventus Stadium will be a crucial factor.
“My first game with Juventus was in the Champions League against Sevilla. I had been there as a spectator and it was a special atmosphere, but then I sampled it from the pitch.
“It’s just 40,000 fans and I immediately thought ‘it’s incredible’. When you close your eyes and savour the atmosphere you’d think it’s 100,000 spectators or more, given the enthusiasm of the fans.
“It really gives us a boost. Just look at important games like last year against Napoli when it was locked at 0-0 and the fans kept pushing us until the end.
“Or against Bayern, when we were 2-0 down and weren’t playing well, but the fans helped us to come back and we almost won that game.
“The noise, the excitement and the atmosphere at the stadium is something special, even in terms of Europe.”