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Santos' Elano: Barcelona are the best team I have ever seen
The Brazil midfielder loves to watch the Blaugrana's possession play, but believes his team would have an excellent chance if they meet in the Club World Cup
3 Dec 2011 00:03:00
By Daniel Edwards
Site Oficial do Santos
Santos star Elano has showered praise on potential Club World Cup final opponents Barcelona, declaring that he has never seen a team play such good football as the Catalan side.
The Copa Libertadores and Champions League holders enter the international tournament at the semi-final stage, and a win for each would set up a final clash on December 18 in Yokohama.
Santos will have to beat either Monterrey or an as-yet undetermined Japanese side to reach the showpiece fixture, while Barca will play the winner of a quarter-final match between Al Sadd and Esperance.
Speaking on Friday in the week before the Peixe travel to Japan, Elano admitted that he was in awe of the Blaugrana's possession football; although he added that his team were working on a way to beat Pep Guardiola's men.
"The Barcelona players have the ball at their feet 70 per cent of the time, they are the best team I have ever seen," the ex-Manchester City midfielder told SporTV, before revealing that proficiency with corners and free-kicks was how they would try and overcome Barca.
"We have been getting ready for these two games [if they reach the final], we have prepared some set-piece moves. Our set-pieces are becoming strong."
Despite his respect for Barcelona, Elano insisted that his team would not be cowed into playing a defensive, negative game, and that they would treat a possible encounter the same as any other match.
"We have to go into the game and do what we are used to doing. In football, anything is possible," he concluded.
Santos' semi-final is scheduled for December 14, while Barcelona will play the following day.
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The Copa Libertadores and Champions League holders enter the international tournament at the semi-final stage, and a win for each would set up a final clash on December 18 in Yokohama.
Santos will have to beat either Monterrey or an as-yet undetermined Japanese side to reach the showpiece fixture, while Barca will play the winner of a quarter-final match between Al Sadd and Esperance.
Speaking on Friday in the week before the Peixe travel to Japan, Elano admitted that he was in awe of the Blaugrana's possession football; although he added that his team were working on a way to beat Pep Guardiola's men.
"The Barcelona players have the ball at their feet 70 per cent of the time, they are the best team I have ever seen," the ex-Manchester City midfielder told SporTV, before revealing that proficiency with corners and free-kicks was how they would try and overcome Barca.
"We have been getting ready for these two games [if they reach the final], we have prepared some set-piece moves. Our set-pieces are becoming strong."
Despite his respect for Barcelona, Elano insisted that his team would not be cowed into playing a defensive, negative game, and that they would treat a possible encounter the same as any other match.
"We have to go into the game and do what we are used to doing. In football, anything is possible," he concluded.
Santos' semi-final is scheduled for December 14, while Barcelona will play the following day.
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|
| 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 |
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| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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