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18.02.2008 11:09
“It’s one of the most important games”
Sergi Nogueras
The Champions League is back with Barça taking on Glasgow Celtic. Eidur Gudjohnsen thinks this Wednesday’s game is really important.
After its two-month winter break the Champions League is back with the last 16 ties. Barça are taking on Glasgow Celtic, and speaking on Celtic TV Eidur Gudjohnsen said that the match was crucial. “It’s one of the most important games of the season. In the League we still aren’t where we want to be and that also makes the Champions League more important. We have to win the two matches and the tie.”
Only the best
But to get through to the quarter finals Barça need to play to their full potential and according to the Icelander that means getting the right attitude. “This part of the Champions League is bound to be tough because there are only top teams, like Celtic, left. We’ve got to be focussed and ready to battle it out as Scottish sides always give 100% for 90 minutes.”
Strength and effort
As happened in the group stage matches with Rangers and in clashes with Celtic in previous seasons, there’s no doubt it’s going to be a very physical encounter. That’s something else Gudjohnsen says need to be taken into account. “Scottish teams and in particular Celtic stand out for their strength and physical approach. They can play at a really high tempo, and although the two sides play in very different ways, I think it would be fair to say that we are better. However, they have a never say die attitude.”
The atmosphere
The setting for the first leg of the tie, Celtic Park, generates one of the best atmospheres in Europe. Gudjohnsen says this won’t intimidate the Barça players but instead will motivate them even more. “We’re not worried about playing there. In fact in this case we want to, because some of the guys who’ve played there say the atmosphere is fantastic. We have to enjoy the game and we shouldn’t worry about it. Everyone knows how passionate Celtic fans are and they should be proud about that.”
Four games in the Champions League
Eidur Gudjohnsen played in 4 of the 6 games in the group stage of the Champions League. The first
was actually in Glasgow when he started against Rangers at Ibrox Park, and in the return tie at the
Camp Nou he came off the bench in the second half. He was once again in the starting XI in the
games against Olympique Lyon in Gerland and against Stuttgart in the Camp Nou.
