a écrit le 12 novembre 2005 à 11h25 After the bitter memory of last season, Barça are keen to take their excellent form into the meeting with Real Madrid next week. Samuel Eto'o is ready to face his former club stating: "We are all up for it."
The Cameroon striker will be the centre of attention, along with Ronaldinho, as he will be given close attention by Madrid as they attempt to stop him adding to his impressive goals tally this term. Eto'o is the top goalscorer in the Spanish top flight and he spoke to Barça TV about the forthcoming game, the teams current form and whether or not Ronaldo will play.
Does the break in the league affect you?
"It does not bother me. There are some people that are bothered by it and some that are not, but we still have to play the game."
Barça are in good form at the moment. Do you think this is the ideal time to be playing Real Madrid?
There is never a good time to got to the Benabéu. Last year year we were doing well and conceded four goals there. The thing to realise is that it is just another league game. You earn three points if you win, just every other match. The only thing with this one is that you have greater confidence and moral if you win. It is a game for prestige and ego.
What are people saying to you in the street? Would it be particularly special to score in the Bernabéu?
"People are always very friendly, obviously. Before this game though, they want to say how much they want us to win, just like I do. The only thing I can do is assure them that I will try my best to achieve this."
Van Bommel has had some very bad luck.
"These things happen in football. Now everyone needs to be with him and support him. It is not the end of the world. In a few weeks he will be back again and begin to show the excellent form that he showed in recent games. We have a big squad here and you can be sure that the player that replaces him will come in and play very well."
Will the presence of Ronaldo in the Madrid team be an important factor.
"I do not think that one man makes a team, but it is true that every time he has the ball he scores. He is the number one. He is one of a few players that can be given only two chances in a game and will score twice. Anyway, in these games I think that the best players must play and if he is back from his injury then that will be good for the game. His appearance will not change the way we play though."
Last season Barcelona had many chances, but Madrid were more effective.
The Cameroon striker will be the centre of attention, along with Ronaldinho, as he will be given close attention by Madrid as they attempt to stop him adding to his impressive goals tally this term. Eto'o is the top goalscorer in the Spanish top flight and he spoke to Barça TV about the forthcoming game, the teams current form and whether or not Ronaldo will play.
Does the break in the league affect you?
"It does not bother me. There are some people that are bothered by it and some that are not, but we still have to play the game."
Barça are in good form at the moment. Do you think this is the ideal time to be playing Real Madrid?
There is never a good time to got to the Benabéu. Last year year we were doing well and conceded four goals there. The thing to realise is that it is just another league game. You earn three points if you win, just every other match. The only thing with this one is that you have greater confidence and moral if you win. It is a game for prestige and ego.
What are people saying to you in the street? Would it be particularly special to score in the Bernabéu?
"People are always very friendly, obviously. Before this game though, they want to say how much they want us to win, just like I do. The only thing I can do is assure them that I will try my best to achieve this."
Van Bommel has had some very bad luck.
"These things happen in football. Now everyone needs to be with him and support him. It is not the end of the world. In a few weeks he will be back again and begin to show the excellent form that he showed in recent games. We have a big squad here and you can be sure that the player that replaces him will come in and play very well."
Will the presence of Ronaldo in the Madrid team be an important factor.
"I do not think that one man makes a team, but it is true that every time he has the ball he scores. He is the number one. He is one of a few players that can be given only two chances in a game and will score twice. Anyway, in these games I think that the best players must play and if he is back from his injury then that will be good for the game. His appearance will not change the way we play though."
Last season Barcelona had many chances, but Madrid were more effective.
