The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| PSG improved but Chelsea still favourites, says Ibra Posted: 01 Apr 2014 07:47 AM PDT PSG, who were knocked out by Barcelona in the last four last year, have overcome weaker opponents so far this season and 2012 champions Chelsea are a big test of their European credentials. "We are beginners in everything we do, while Chelsea have had a project for 10 years," Sweden striker Ibrahimovic, who has scored 10 goals in Europe's premier competition this season, told a news conference at the Parc des Princes. "Chelsea are the super favourites. "Experience is an advantage for the one who has it. Chelsea has more experience in the Champions League. We're in the position Chelsea were eight or nine years ago." Chelsea started their transformation into continental powerhouses when Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich took over the club in 2003, a move PSG copied in 2012 when Qatar Sports Investments took charge and lured world-class players like Ibrahimovic and Brazil centre back Thiago Silva. PSG, however, are learning fast. "The big difference (with last year) is that it is my second year, as well as my team mates'. We know each other better," said Ibrahimovic. "We are better today than one year ago collectively." Coach Laurent Blanc called for patience. "Things have been going very fast, but experience of the Champions League requires time," he said. "Manchester City is an example, but we can see they're not in the quarter-finals. At European level, in spite of our ambitions and our means, we're one of the two clubs with the least experience," he added, referring to Atletico Madrid who face Barcelona. Apart from Atletico and PSG, all the quarter-finalists (Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United) have won the Champions League. Wednesday's first leg at the Parc des Princes will provide PSG with the opportunity to prove their worth. "It's with the kind of games like tomorrow's that we can make a statement," said Ibrahimovic. "It's a big test for us to see where we stand." The game will be a tactical battle between Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and Blanc, with the Blues likely to look to hit PSG on the break. "It's two different styles. We're going to stick to our philosophy," Blanc said. "If we start getting scared of being hit on the break, we'll play against nature and it's not going to do us any good. "Tomorrow, we should avoid conceding goals. We know there are going to be counter-attacks and we'll get ready for that, but we're not going to just defend." That would be a waste of Ibrahimovic's talent. "I feel good. It has been my best season. Mentally and physically, I feel very strong," the Swede said. – Reuters, April 1, 2014. |
| No return to left-back for Bale, insists Ancelotti Posted: 01 Apr 2014 07:34 AM PDT Marcelo will miss both legs of Real's Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund, with the first leg taking place at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night. Bale began his career at left-back at Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, before twice becoming Premier League Player of the Year from a more advanced position. Ancelotti insisted that the Welshman would maintain his place on the right side of Real's attack. "Bale at full-back is not an option for us," he told his pre-match press conference ahead of Dortmund's visit to the Spanish capital. "We have a problem with Marcelo, but we can cover his absence well with (Fabio) Coentrao. He is fresh and will replace him without any problems." Bale was on target twice in Real's 5-0 win over Rayo Vallecano on Saturday as Ancelotti's men bounced back from consecutive defeats to Barcelona and Sevilla. That double took the former Tottenham man's tally for the season to 16, but he has been criticised for his lack of impact in Real's biggest games. Ancelotti admitted that Bale can be inconsistent, but defended the player's attitude and claimed that was to be expected given the type of player he is and the position he plays in. "It is true he is intermittent, but that is a characteristic of all forwards, especially very quick players. "Players with that speed can't have a continuous influence like other players with different characteristics like Xabi Alonso. "His inconsistency is a physical characteristic of the player, like Cristiano (Ronaldo) or (Karim) Benzema. It is not an attitude problem." Real midfielder and Bale's former Tottenham teammate Luka Modric also believes the 24-year-old has made a fine contribution in his first season with Madrid. "He is doing very well. He is helping the team a lot and has scored a lot of goals and given many assists. "He is a very important player for us. I don't think he has been selfish. I think he has given more assists than anyone in La Liga, which says it all." Dortmund had the upper hand over Madrid in four meetings in total in last season's Champions League, but most notably in the semi-finals as they progressed 4-3 on aggregate. Robert Lewandowski scored all four of his side's goals in the first leg, but the Polish international will be missing at the Bernabeu due to suspension, whilst Dortmund are without five other key first-team players through injury. The speedy Pierre-Emerick Aubemayang is expected to replace Lewandowski up front and Ancelotti is wary of Dortmund's threat on the counter-attack. "Borussia Dortmund are very dangerous on the counter-attack and it is clear we have to play an offensive match because we need a positive result, but we need to be careful with them on the break. "Aubemayang is a player I know well because he was in the Milan youth team when I was there. He is having a fantastic career. "The absence of Lewandowski is important, but I think they can cover that up well with Aubemayang." – AFP, April 1, 2014. |
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