MANCHESTER, England (REUTERS) - Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has urged his side to make sure they do not leave Manchester United room for another heroic comeback in the Champions League when they visit Old Trafford in Wednesday's eagerly-awaited quarter-final first leg.
United made history in the last-16 by overturning a 2-0 home defeat against Paris St Germain to win the tie on away goals with a dramatic 3-1 victory in the French capital, underlining the club's reputation for stirring European revivals.
"The PSG game should serve as an example for us that you cannot afford to leave Manchester United alive, if you can beat them with lots of goals then you have to do it," Pique told a news conference on Tuesday (April 9).
"In the first leg, PSG were the better side, they scored two goals and they could have scored more. United have a great history, in the second leg they played with lots of young lads from their academy and they still qualified.
"That game should remind us that we have to be very concentrated, as United are a very dangerous team."
Pique, 32, spent his first years as a professional with United, joining the club aged 17 but returning to Barca in 2008 after failing to hold down a place in the team due to fierce competition from Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
Pique has turned into one of Barcelona's best ever defenders in his 11 years back at his boyhood club and is on course to win an eighth La Liga title with the Catalans, who are also in the Copa del Rey final and have the treble within their sights.
But he said his experience at United was invaluable to his development.
"I went from being kid to an adult here, I had my first experiences as a professional and some crazy experiences off the pitch. I came here alone, without my family, I learned a lot and I left a completely different person," he recalled.
Pique also said United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer helped him through difficult times in Manchester when they were team mates, and he praised the former Norway forward for reviving the club's fortunes since succeeding Jose Mourinho in December.
"I remember Ole as a great team mate, I was 17 and he was a veteran and for sure he helped me adapt to the club, to the country and to the city," Pique added.
"It was a great experience to train alongside him, he helped me a lot so I'm happy to see him in charge of Manchester United. He's done a great job, won lots of games and got them playing much better. Tomorrow will be tough and I hope we can win."
Jürgen Klopp has set Liverpool a mammoth points target and hailed the Anfield atmosphere, report the Liverpool Echo. The Reds performed when the pressure was on once again, beating Chelsea 2-0 thanks to early second half goals from Sadio Mane and Mo Salah.
Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool's f ighting spirit as he sets
With the midfielder departure from Stamford Bridge, Chelsea FC will make move to sign a new midfielder to replace him. The Blues have been linked with Leandro Paredes and Nicolo Barella as a possible replacement. And we believe they will step up with the transfer and get it completed before the end of the January transfer window.
Super Rugby: Blues without rested All Blacks pair for crucial
Chelsea boss Sarri demands more from 'individual' Hazard LONDON: Eden Hazard must deliver more to realise his full potential and help dig Chelsea out of a slump in form, manager Maurizio Sarri
Chelsea boss Sarri demands more from 'individual' Hazard
Football: Young Lions beaten, but not discouraged, after SPL loss to Home United Young Lions' Joshua Pereira (right) reacts after scoring a goal against Home United in the Singapore Premier
Kaya v Lao Toyota - spreaker.com
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane will start the Champions League final against Liverpool in Madrid, with Lucas Moura the unlucky man dropping to the bench. Kane declared himself fit for the
Tottenham vs Liverpool team news: Harry Kane and Roberto
Brazilian footballer Neymar has strongly denied an accusation that he raped a woman in a Paris hotel room. A police document filed in Sao Paulo says an unidentified woman has accused the Paris
PSG star Neymar denies Paris hotel rape accusation * 10z Soccer
Lionel Messi scores La Liga-clinching goal for Barcelona off the bench in win over Levante The league crown once again resides at Camp Nou. by Roger Gonzalez
Football: 'Stratospheric' Messi scores 400th La Liga goal in
ZAGREB (REUTERS) - Croatia were forced to dig deep as they came from behind to beat unfancied Azerbaijan 2-1 at home in their opening Euro 2020 Group E qualifier after forward Andrej Kramaric
Soccer: Kramaric nets late winner as Croatia beat Azerbaijan
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League - Liverpool Training - Melwood, Liverpool, Britain - April 16, 2019 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp during training Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smi
Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead of season
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shot to the top of the Premier League scoring charts with two goals. (Source: Reuters) Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shot to the top of the Premier League scoring charts with two goals in Saturday's 3-1 home win over struggling Burnley, returning his side to winning ways after two straight defeats.
Aubameyang brace gives Arsenal win over Burnley | The World Game
Jurgen Klopp hasn't enjoyed much of an affinity with the FA Cup during his Liverpool reign. In his three seasons at Anfield the Reds haven't even reached the fifth round of the world's oldest knockout competition, let alone the bright lights of Wembley. It's been a tale of weakened teams, glaring mistakes and painful early exits. Read More
Klopp denies FA Cup exit gives them title advantage - Football365
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar