FCBARCELONA.CAT

09.05.2007 18:58

Schuster: "It will have to be a fantastic display from us"

Sandra Sarmiento/Sergi Nogueras

Bernd Schuster believes that Getafe will have to have an incredible game if they are to come back from three goals behind to beat FC Barcelona in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi final.

The German coach analysed his team's chances of turning around the hefty deficit when Frank Rijkaard's Barça visit on Thursday evening and he was quite clear about what he thinks will be required. "I hope that Barcelona give us a reason to believe that it is possible," Schuster said. "Everything would have to go fantastically well for us if we want to reach the final. I do not want things to go the same way that they did in the first game. We were nervous and showed them too much respect. We have to play with no fear. I want my players to enjoy the match, it is a very special for everyone. We have to take risks. We know that it is upto us to fight back and it is crucial that we score early on."

Message board

After the victory over Real Betis at the weekend, Getafe moved upto eighth in the league and Schuster and club president, Ángel Torres, gave the team some surprising support. According to the coach, the 5-2 reverse in Camp Nou was an accident and to show the players that the fans still believe they can reach the final, a number of letters of support were hung up on the walls of the dressing room to lift morale within the squad. "We thought that it would cheer everyone up before the game", Schuster explained. "In football there are many ways to create a good atmosphere."

UEFA options

Getafe are currently enjoying an incredible season under Schuster and, as well as the Copa del Rey, they could also qualify for the UEFA via the league. "We have two options to play in Europe," the coach stated. "We now have to think about our next two matches. On Thursday we have a very important game against Barça and then on Sunday we have another against Atlético de Madrid in the league."

Messi out

Barça go into the second leg without Lionel Messi, who has been rested and Schuster was asked if he was pleased that the young Argentinian would be played. In the first game, Messi scored a spectacular goal after running from the halfway line before weaving past defenders and the goalkeeper. The coach said after that game that one of his players should have fouled the Blaugrana star, but this time he was playing down those comments. "If we have managed to stop him coming then that is good," Schuster explained. "But I already expected him not to play. I spoke about ways of stopping him and I saw in the games against mallorca and Levante that they were foulling him and pulling his shirt. I just prefer that he does not play because of the quality that he has. That goal did us a lot of damage because we have all seen it on television so many times and it will always be remembered."