Atletico Madrid captain Gabi has revealed his 'pain' at missing out on Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Chelsea.
The Spanish midfielder picked up a yellow card in the first leg last week, which ended goalless, ruling him out of the clash at Stamford Bridge tomorrow evening.
"Of course it hurts me not to be out on the pitch, but whatever happens they will do well. I will try to push them as I can and lift them with scarves. I am sure that the team will be at the level needed for the game, and will go through to the final," he told AS.
"I am sure that the team is ready for these great occasions, that there is a lot of confidence. We know the difficulty, but I am sure the team will be in the final. The team has a level of conviction and ambition that I have rarely seen before. We are players who unfortunately have not won much.
"Taking out 'El Guaje' (David Villa), the rest of us are new to this business of winning trophies, apart from what we have won here. We have this hunger that characterises us."
Any win or score draw would see Atletico book their spot in the final.
Matt Law
