GOAL

James Rodriguez has stressed Real Madrid will do everything within their powers to eliminate Atletico Madrid and successfully defend their Champions League crown.

The Colombia international is eagerly anticipating Wednesday's match versus Atletico and dreams of winning the European title this campaign

Carlo Ancelotti's men were held to a scoreless draw in the first leg of the quarter-final tie at the Vicente Calderon last week and they face a tough task to make it to the final four with the likes of Luka Modric, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale out injured.

Nevertheless, James is optimistic ahead of Wednesday's return at the Santiago Bernabeu and is confident they can progress in pursuit of their 11th top European trophy.

"We're going to give everything to be able to win La Undecima. There's always pressure here. You have to know how to handle it," James was quoted as saying on the Bwin website.

"Atletico are an intense team who are good at the back and are a unit.

"We have to show intensity, be completely focused, play well and all stick together. I think that if we do that we'll come away with an excellent result. 

"What's important is winning and getting through this tough match, which is going to be difficult, but we're here at our home stadium and in front of our fans. I think it could be a great match.

"We're all dreaming of getting through this round and if I can score too that'd be great."

James Rodriguez was not among the Blancos players to triumph in the Champions League final over Diego Simeone's men last season as he only joined Carlo Ancelotti's side after the World Cup in 2014.

Real Madrid have not won any of their last seven Madrid derbies in all competitions since that final win, losing four and drawing three.