Barcelona wary of Manchester United's strengths ahead of Champions League final – UEFA News
Barcelona manager, Josep Guardiola has hailed Manchester United as an extraordinary team, ahead of their Champions League final showdown at Wembley, on May 28, 2011.
Guardiola watched his men beat Espanyol by 2 goals to nil and move within a point of winning the La Liga title, just like Sir http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 with a 2-1 victory at home.
Barcelona can now wrap up the La Liga title on Tuesday, if Real Madrid loses any points in their next game. In case Les Merengues win, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 can wrap up formalities against Levante, a day later.
If Barcelona is able to lift the Spanish title soon, the side will get the best part of two weeks to prepare for the mammoth clash at Wembley.
Guardiola, who was a part of the Barcelona team that won the European cup at Old Wembley in 1992, says he is wary of his opponents’ strength and will treat them with respect, despite being the favourites for the game.
The coach, while speaking after his team’s win over Espanyol, said, “They played a Champions League semi-final (second leg against Schalke) with a team full of reserves and they won 4-1 - that says everything you need to know about the quality they have. They have a great squad with two great teams and extraordinary players.”
Barcelona captain, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Carles-Puyol-c8331 was unfit to play for his side in their last encounter, but the coach said that he will be fit to play in London, for the all-important final.
The Spanish club’s left-back, Eric Abidal, also made a comeback from his liver surgery, as he played for 20 minutes in the La Liga game as a substitute. Guardiola thinks that he is also in contention for a place in the starting-11, for the final.
Guardiola spoke about Abidal’s fitness and said, “Abi had a few minutes the other day (in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Madrid) and played for longer today, we hope he can gradually play more and more and build up his fitness for the final.”
Before Barcelona can focus on the Champions League semi-final, the side will have to complete the job at home and Guardiola’s men are aware of this fact.
Talismanic mid-fielder, Xavi Hernandez said that he knows that his side are within touching distance of the title and will try to wrap up proceedings, as soon as possible. He added that the team will not let the Champions League final distract them.
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