If there was any disappointment amongst the Camp Nou faithful that FC Barcelona did not convert their superiority into victory against Manchester United FC in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg then it was not a sentiment shared by the Barça players.
Second-leg hopes
Samuel Eto’o spoke for the entire squad when he said that the recent lack of goals – only three in their last five matches in all competitions – was a temporary problem. Indeed, the Cameroon striker remains convinced that United will not be able to cope with their opponents at Old Trafford next Tuesday despite the absence of Rafael Márquez due to suspension.
‘Barça style’
« I’m happy with our display » said Eto’o. « If we play at our true level then there are very few sides in the world who are capable of living with us. This evening we gave everything, we ran everywhere and showed what the true Barça style is. You could see that the fans loved it and I’m not disappointed that we didn’t score because there are goals in this team, right throughout the side. In fact, I’d predict that we are capable of scoring in any away match no matter who it’s against. »
Achievements
Eto’o was a pivotal figure as the Blaugrana won the UEFA Champions League in 2006. The 27-year-old struck the winning goal in London against Chelsea FC in the first knockout round first leg, added a second goal against SL Benfica in the quarter-final return and, of course, scored the equaliser against Arsenal FC in the thrilling Paris final.
‘Good football’
So perhaps he is arguing with genuine insight when he contests that Barcelona retain the edge going into the second leg. « It’s not an easy task to be the home side when you have drawn 0-0 away from home in the first leg of a knockout tie, » he continued. « There’s no real problem with our goalscoring and I say that because we continue to create chances. So when you have a team like ours which plays such good football and has so many different guys capable of scoring then the ball will eventually go in.
‘Confident’
« I really think that if we go to Manchester and play like this then there is absolutely no reason why we shouldn’t go through, » he added. « In the meantime, I’m delighted that we put on a really good show for our fans. I think we owed them something after recent weeks and they were absolutely marvellous to us tonight. Now we have to be physically and mentally prepared. I’m confident. »
UEFA
