FCBARCELONA.CAT

26.05.2009 19:29

Ferguson: “Defending is a good foundation for winning”

David Saura (enviat especial)

Alex Ferguson is looking to be the first manager to win back to back Champions Leagues. And if that means relying on his defence then that’s no problem: “Defending is a good foundation for winning”.

The clash of styles was one of the dominant themes of Alex Ferguson’s pre-match press conference. Referring back to Barça’s semi-final match tie against Chelsea, he told reporters: “Defending is part of the game but we’ve got a different style to Chelsea. I hope our defence is a good foundation for winning but we also want to score and play good football. We can do both things: defend in depth and also attack. It’s our strength”.

However, the experienced Scottish coach – who has been in charge at United for no less than 23 years – is not going to concede the control of the match: “It’ll be a match where we both try and control the ball. I hope we have possession at the crucial moments”.

United, a mature team

Ferguson is surprised that no club has yet managed to win the Champions League in two consecutive seasons but believes his team has a number of factors in its favour, speaking of “character, capacity and tenacity”. But there’s also maturity: “The team has gained the level of maturity necessary to adapt ourselves to the challenge of Europe. I hope the team uses all its capacity”. He made special mention of the team spirit shown away to Porto (0-1) and away to Arsenal (1-3).

Defence and attack are compatible

He also believes that his team is capable of combining defensive strength with sharpness in front of goal. He called on his players concentrate and to be “ready when the important things are decided”. He added. “I hope we’re lucky”.

Messi and Ronaldo

Many eyes will be focussed on the duel between the two best players in the world, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Ferguson is an admirer of them both: “They’re two fantastic players. They have the talent and the courage to attack always despite the kicks and fouls they receive. They have different qualities and also a different physique. So it’s difficult to say who is better than the other”.

“We’ve practised penalties”

The Red Devils won Europe’s top club trophy in 1999 in injury time while last year, they won the final of the Champions League in a penalty shootout in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. Has Ferguson taken this into account? “Yes, yes we’ve practised penalties. In a final luck is important”.