Despite the fact that the dust is just installed on his team at the aggregate 2-0 quarter-final victory over FC Schalke 04, Thierry Henry agrees that most neutrals have already relegated FC Barcelona to the status of underdogs in their semi-final against Manchester United FC.
The French is a veteran of many battles with the English champions and understands the reasoning behind these judgments, but he believes Barça gain strength at the right time and drew confidence from their victory over a pugnace German side. "Schalke played well against us, and we expected them," said Henry. "They
attacked in a hurry, and we did well to come out with another victory.
"I guess that after our victory over the look and compare Schalke us at Manchester United, a large number of people, not just have them as favourites to reach the final, but they say that we are not a team as good as them, "Henry said. "I understand that United are strong and that Cristiano Ronaldo had an incredible season.
"But two weeks ago to the present tie with United, and I also think that if you watched their recent Premier League match against Middlesbrough [FC - a draw 2-2] you can see that if you press – and that you attack them vigorously, then you can score, " he added.
"Let's wait and see how the ties go - does not bother me if people want to predict that United will be better than us."
For the French, coming towards the end of his first season at Camp Nou, there is no thrill to play against United, apart from the attraction of another UEFA Champions League final. "I did not particularly hungry to beat them because of all the time I spent at Arsenal [FC]," he said. "Incitement of a semi-final for a club like Barcelona is enough. "
Henry left the field to a reasonable Barça ovation from the faithful, but was not surprised by the immense jeering and hissing that greeted the substitution of Bojan Krkić midway through the second half. He knows that the coach Frank Rijkaard the main objective was to keep 17 years of energy. "Bojan went very well and have helped to create the goal, and if the crowd did not seem pleased that he has been replaced, it is natural," he said. "He is a son of Catalonia, fans of the excellent season of love in which he production and it is natural that they were disappointed.(*) "
photo: GettyImages
Henry: Barcelona underdogs in semi-final
Grant Still believes
Avram Grant believes Chelsea have the manpower which can lead to glory on two fronts.
The coach of Israel saw his side keep up the pressure on Manchester United, Arsenal and at arm's length - with a 2-0 victory in the Barclays Premier League against Manchester City on Saturday.
Next up are Zico's Fenerbahce at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea will try to support a picket deficit of 2-1 on Tuesday in the Champions League quarter-finals.
They go into the match in good shape after a comfortable victory against City, even though half of the grant has changed with the European team match crucial to mind.
An own goal from skipper Richard Dunne after six minutes gave Chelsea the perfect start.
He got his bearings wrong after Nicolas Anelka delivered a cross from the left and headed beyond his attempt to release goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Chelsea then came under some pressure before adding a second in the 53rd minute with a cool finish after Salomon Kalou impressive Michael Essien has threaded the ball into his path.
Anelka has added almost a third when his header came back off the bar in an impressive display by the title chasers.
Key players Didier Drogba and Ricardo Carvalho are among those expected to be recalled against the Turks, after being idle on Saturday.
Grant is convinced his side can turn things around and get a place in the semi-final against either Arsenal or Liverpool, whose tie in the balance after it drew 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium.(*)
Rio injury worry for United
Rio Ferdinand has given Sir Alex Ferguson another defensive headache after leaving the Riverside with his foot in a protective cover following Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough.
US can not afford to lose time for Ferdinand with fellow centre-back Nemanja Vidic out for three weeks and some crucial matches ahead in the Premier League and the Champions League.
The draw with Boro saw United just three points ahead of Chelsea, and they face Arsenal next weekend before going to Stamford Bridge on 26 April.
Ferdinand limped off during the match and left the stadium with his foot in a plastic casing, as a precautionary measure.
Ferguson said: "We hope that it is not serious in Rio, but he was limping for too long.
"The danger was to keep practising with him when he was limping, he was not playing to its full level of performance."
It seems unlikely that Ferdinand will play in the Champions League second leg against Roma, especially with Gerard Pique impressive Ferguson replacing the England defender.
"Pique came on and did absolutely brilliant, it was absolutely wonderful, and I think that really helped us," said Ferguson.
United had taken the lead at a frigid courtesy of Riverside Cristiano Ronaldo's 37th goal of the season, but two goals from Brazilian striker Afonso Alves put Boro ahead.
It has been left at the end of Wayne Rooney deflected effort to ensure a share of the spoils - and Ferguson admitted United had flirted with defeat.
He added: "We could have lost the game there is no doubt they have some chances and the defence of our time was somewhat haphazard, I think.
"But at other times, we could have won the game because some of the quality of our football was fantastic.
"At 1-0 we looked very strong and controlled the match and Wayne Rooney was unlucky to be given offside when he was clear through - it was not out Thursday
"They changed back to the 4-4-2 formation obtained an equaliser and I thought it was a great football game after that. It was end to end and both teams deserve a lot of credit for the production of a football game like that at this time of the year.
"At times we played fantastic football but in the context of the game Middlesbrough has also produced some great moments and it was just a fantastic game."
Ferguson insisted United have shown that they will keep fighting every inch of the way for the title.
He said: "The nature of the club is that we never give in and that's a great quality to have at this time of year.(*)
Wenger Displeased With Result
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger rued what he saw as a costly refereeing error after his side's 1-1 home draw with Liverpool, but feels that the tie - as well as the Premiership race - remains wide open.
Expressing surprise at how his side failed to win, he said to Sky Sports, "It's difficult to understand because we had a lot of possession and a lot of chances. It's very difficult to accept when you don't win the game. We were a bit unlucky as well; of course when they equalised I felt we were really unlucky, and we were unlucky with a big decision of the referee's on the penalty.
"In a game like that it's difficult to take, but we have to swallow it."
Indeed, the penalty incident seemed to resonate particularly with the Frenchman.
"Was it even more disappointing when you see the referee's position? That's what's most disappointing," he responded to the interviewer.
"Sometimes the referee is in a bad position, but he was five yards away from Kuyt, and in fairness it was a 100% penalty." (*)
source: goal.com
Liverpool Edge Arsenal In Round One
The hosts had the best of the play, and the best of the chances, but a backs-to-the-wall performance from brave Liverpool saw them maintain an advantage...
Liverpool managed a quick Dirk Kuyt equaliser to match Adebayor's early strike, and although they were to find themselves dominated for huge spells of the game, they left with a priceless advantage.It was a cagey start from both sides with nerves perhaps the dominant attribute - nobody wanted to concede the early goal.
However, Arsenal began to establish a passing rhythm, and with the Reds' (playing in black) defensive midfield not quite into the game just yet, they had plenty of space to exploit in the middle.Clichy and Fabregas were particularly active, but despite the positive look to their overall play, there was little end product.
At the other end Gerrard was able to beat Almunia with a rather tame cross which eventually met Hyypia, but the Finn, with plenty of time, blasted his shot to a wayward nowhere.
Eventually, though, there was to be a breakthrough. However, it came not from silky passing play, but instead a set piece.
After Van Persie won a corner off Reina, in came the ball from the Dutchman, and Emmanuel Adebayor dropped off the goalline, got in between the centre-backs, and rose unmarked to head home. A simple goal - a well-executed one, but simple - and Liverpool were in trouble.
But no sooner had the Merseysiders kicked off than they'd put the ball in the net.(*)
source: goal.com
Cudicini: I am disappointed
When Deivid's spectacular long-range shot swerved out of the reach of Carlo Cudicini with nine minutes left to give Fenerbahçe SK a 2-1 UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg win against Chelsea FC in Istanbul last night, the visiting goalkeeper may well have reflected on what happened before half-time at the end he defended after the interval.
Chelsea led 1-0 at the break through a Deivid own goal and only the combined intervention of the crossbar, some inspired goalkeeping by Volkan Demirel and a bit of bad luck prevented that advantage being greater. But the game changed in the second period and after substitute Kazım Kazım had equalised on 65 minutes, it was no surprise that Fenerbahçe went on to give themselves a one-goal cushion to take to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
"I am disappointed, especially after the first half, when we had the chance to close out the game," Cudicini said. "Unfortunately we didn't do it. Sometimes that happens and in the second half they scored two goals. Every time you concede you are disappointed, especially in these type of games where every goal is important."
Not so complicated that Cudinici does not think that Chelsea can still earn a fourth semi-final in five seasons, however. "We are confident," he said. "We have shown today that we have the ability to play very well, as we did in the first half. We know we can beat them at the Bridge."
source: uefa.com