Granero happy to be part of Madrid trophy hunt

Real Madrid CF have raised their game this season as they chase honours at home and abroad, with lifelong fan Esteban Granero delighted to play a part in the charge for trophies.

Despite trailing FC Bayern München 2-1 going into Wednesday's UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, José Mourinho's side are full of belief after a superb weekend win at FC Barcelona. Midfielder Granero summed up the mood in the camp, saying: "We are going out, match by match, to win every competition we can. We have a difficult game against Bayern but we are ready and have the right levels of confidence."

Saturday's 2-1 Camp Nou success gave Madrid a healthy seven-point lead over Barcelona at the Liga summit. Now, though, attention turns to Europe. "If we are in the semi-finals, it is because we are doing something very well," added the 24-year-old, whose team would progress with a 1-0 scoreline. "It's time to prove we deserve to be in the final. We have scored in important matches and I think we can do it again."

Apart from spending the 2007/08 and 2008/09 seasons with Getafe CF, Granero has played his entire career at Madrid, notching up 64 top-flight outings and four goals. "I have been here since I was eight and always wanted this," he said. "I have grown a lot this year and become a better player and person. I'm happy and expect to be here many more years.

"I've watched Real Madrid in three European finals on TV and I celebrated at La Cibeles," continued the former Spanish Under-21 international, referencing the square and fountain in the capital where Madridistas traditionally mark a trophy triumph. "We are now close to doing it again."

The versatile Granero has been used mainly from the bench by Mourinho this term – including his six UEFA Champions League appearances – yet is happy to contribute when he can as Madrid eye their first final since 2002. "The coach is always talking to me and I try to do my best every time I play. We are lucky because we have a big squad. Bayern won't sit back, but we are thinking about our own game and how to get a result. We are more of a team now and we are united. We are growing and want to keep this going."