Manuel Neuer, goalkeeper and captain of Bayern Munich, advocated for "turning" the pressure from the environment at the Santiago Bernabéu for the UEFA Champions League semi-final return leg against Real Madrid on Wednesday into "something positive," in addition to "having confidence" in themselves.

"From an emotional point of view, we're facing a great team. But we have to continue being ourselves and have confidence in ourselves and our teammates. We can't get stuck or be scared. We have to turn the pressure into something positive. And tomorrow we'll try to do that. If we achieve it, we'll be contenders for the final," he said at a press conference.

"I haven't come here with fear. Far from it. We have confidence in ourselves. We know the match we played last week and we know the opponent. We were close to beating Real Madrid at home and we'll have a chance to win in Madrid too," he added.

Neuer gave his key to the match: "It depends on the form of both teams tomorrow. The difference can be the first goal, seeing who scores first. At home, we failed because we didn't take the opportunity to score first, but when we face a team like Real Madrid, everything depends on the details. We're all very focused and we don't want to make the slightest mistake because both teams have great offensive players."

The goalkeeper assured that he's not thinking about the possibility of the tie being decided on penalties.

"It's a semi-final and goalkeepers are prepared for everything. Also for a penalty shootout, but we're not going into it with that idea. Everyone is dangerous in penalties. In Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Of course, the banter between player and goalkeeper plays a role, but in the end, it's the player who decides where to shoot," he said.

Additionally, he acknowledged how he was impressed by seeing the new Santiago Bernabéu during the walk they took on the field before the press conference.

"The stadium is impressive. With the screens up all over the stadium... it has something special, something historical. There's no other stadium in the world or in Europe for a player. We're very happy to play here," he emphasized.

Neuer didn't want to single out any player from the white team: "It's hard for me to name just one player because Real Madrid has many forwards, midfielders... There's Jude, Vinícius, with his excellent performance in the first leg... but many players can make the difference."

The German goalkeeper recalled coach Carlo Ancelotti's past at Bayern Munich, from which he was dismissed after 16 months at the club.

"What is success? In the domestic competition, we were successful with him, but the Champions League is another story and with him, we didn't manage to win the ties, but he did have successes at Bayern," emphasized the German goalkeeper.