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Barcelona Defender Sylvinho: I Am Ready For Champions League Final
The veteran left-back is unsure if he will be utilized against Manchester United, but insists he is fully prepared for the encounter.
May 25, 2009 3:47:20 PM
Barcelona full-back Sylvinho has assured coach Pep Guardiola that he is fully prepared to face Manchester United on Wednesday evening – but admitted even he is unsure of whether he will start the match in Rome.
Suspensions to both Dani Alves and Eric Abidal following their indiscretions in the semi-final, second leg clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge has meant that the Blaugrana are faced with a defensive crisis ahead of the biggest match of the season.
Carles Puyol is likely to be installed at right-back, and Sylvinho despite being 35-years-old remains a serious option to replace Abidal on the left hand side.
However, the Brazilian told radio program ‘Primer Toc’ on Rac 1 that he is ready for action, stating, “I do not know whether the manager plans to play me but more importantly I know that we can do well. We are all a little selfish, I have so much enthusiasm and I am preparing myself as if I am playing in the game.
“We’ll see if [Pep] Guardiola chooses me, the most natural, or goes with [Seydou] Keita, who is not a specialist in this position.”
Goal.com reported earlier today that central midfielder Seydou Keita
has dismissed any suggestions that he will be employed in the left-back position ahead of Sylvinho (see story), but the former Arsenal man will accept his coach’s decision, whatever it may be.
He added, “We must ensure that we respect the coach’s views, and understand that his decision will be tactical.”
Paul Macdonald, Goal.com
Suspensions to both Dani Alves and Eric Abidal following their indiscretions in the semi-final, second leg clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge has meant that the Blaugrana are faced with a defensive crisis ahead of the biggest match of the season.
Carles Puyol is likely to be installed at right-back, and Sylvinho despite being 35-years-old remains a serious option to replace Abidal on the left hand side.
However, the Brazilian told radio program ‘Primer Toc’ on Rac 1 that he is ready for action, stating, “I do not know whether the manager plans to play me but more importantly I know that we can do well. We are all a little selfish, I have so much enthusiasm and I am preparing myself as if I am playing in the game.
“We’ll see if [Pep] Guardiola chooses me, the most natural, or goes with [Seydou] Keita, who is not a specialist in this position.”
Goal.com reported earlier today that central midfielder Seydou Keita
has dismissed any suggestions that he will be employed in the left-back position ahead of Sylvinho (see story), but the former Arsenal man will accept his coach’s decision, whatever it may be.
He added, “We must ensure that we respect the coach’s views, and understand that his decision will be tactical.”
Paul Macdonald, Goal.com
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