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Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain hopes to avoid Manchester United in Champions League quarter-finals
Catalan hopes Barca don't draw Red Devils...
19 Mar 2010 08:31:00
By Rupert Fryer & Adithya Ananth
Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain has admitted he is hoping that the Catalan club avoid Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Begiristain believes that the Red Devils will be out for Barca blood if the two sides are pitted against each other in the next stage of the competition, having been beaten by the Blaugrana in the final of last season's edition of the European competition.
"We are strong and, if we want to be champions, we have to beat everyone," he told Barca TV.
"At this moment all the rivals are very strong but I would prefer to avoid Manchester United.
"I would not like to meet the club who were our opponents in the final last season because of the motivation they could have."
The sporting director maintained that it was out of logic and not fear that he wished to avoid Sir Alex Ferguson's charges at this stage of the competition.
"I'm not afraid to face teams like Arsenal and Manchester United as they would be great events," Begiristain added.
"The French have been playing very well and Lyon have great experience."
Begiristain also hopes Barca have the slight advantage of playing the second leg of double header at Camp Nou.
"Ideally, I’d like the second-leg of the round at our stadium," he said.
"Last year we were unlucky and had to play them in Munich and London [against Chelsea]."
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Begiristain believes that the Red Devils will be out for Barca blood if the two sides are pitted against each other in the next stage of the competition, having been beaten by the Blaugrana in the final of last season's edition of the European competition.
"We are strong and, if we want to be champions, we have to beat everyone," he told Barca TV.
"At this moment all the rivals are very strong but I would prefer to avoid Manchester United.
"I would not like to meet the club who were our opponents in the final last season because of the motivation they could have."
The sporting director maintained that it was out of logic and not fear that he wished to avoid Sir Alex Ferguson's charges at this stage of the competition.
"I'm not afraid to face teams like Arsenal and Manchester United as they would be great events," Begiristain added.
"The French have been playing very well and Lyon have great experience."
Begiristain also hopes Barca have the slight advantage of playing the second leg of double header at Camp Nou.
"Ideally, I’d like the second-leg of the round at our stadium," he said.
"Last year we were unlucky and had to play them in Munich and London [against Chelsea]."
Become a fan of Goal.com UK's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything related to the beautiful game!
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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