'Confident' Kaká coming to the boil

Kaká feels he is reaching his peak at just the right time after a man-of-the match performance from the Brazilian international helped Real Madrid CF past APOEL FC and into a semi-final with FC Bayern München.

The 29-year-old registered his team's second goal on Wednesday night with a swerving, dipping strike from distance that had the majority of fans inside the Santiago Bernabéu on their feet. "That was probably one of the most beautiful goals I've ever scored, not dissimilar to one I hit against Anderlecht while playing for Milan," he said.

The former AC Milan attacking midfielder almost doubled his tally shortly afterwards when finding the base of the post with another drive from the edge of the box, while his clever flicked pass to Ángel Di María in the second half allowed the Argentinian to run free before chipping over APOEL keeper Urko Pardo for the last act of what proved to be a dramatic finale.

"As time passes I feel more and more confident in my game and when it comes to striking the ball," he added. "The most important thing is that I am not carrying any injuries and I am involved in the moves out on the pitch, that's what makes me happy. I would say I am making strides at the most important part of the season."

Kaká's improvement is ominous news for Madrid's semi-final opponents Bayern. The German outfit will have to contend not only with the improving playmaker, but also with the rest of an attack-minded side who have registered 150 goals in all competitions this term, 46 more than Bayern.

"I think our forwards are incredible and I would like to congratulate them for the work they have been putting in this season," Kaká said. "Bayern will be a very difficult rival but on the way to the semis we have eliminated CSKA and APOEL who were competing in the knockout stage of the Champions League on merit," continued the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year.

"Bayern are not just opponents who have been doing well this year, they have been doing well for a long time and got to the final against Internazionale a couple of seasons back. We have to be ready for a very difficult semi-final but I am sure we will go into it with confidence. I think we can get to the final."

Recently back in action after a thigh injury, winger Di María echoed the sentiments of Kaká, saying: "I spoke only yesterday with the boys about what difficult opponents Bayern will be. They have great players and always seem to reach the quarters or semi-finals. We said we would need to continue putting in the hard work in order to achieve our objective this season which is to reach the final in Munich."