FCBARCELONA.CAT

09.04.2008 23:53

Eto' o: “We cannot feel inferior to United”

Anna Segura

The FC Barcelona players were all delighted to have booked their place in the semi finals of the Champions League on Wednesday night after Touré Yaya’s goal gave them victory against Schalke 04.

Now the Blaugrana face Manchester United next and every player agreed that it will be an attractive tie against an in-form side.

Below are what some of the Barça stars had to say after the game:

Samuel Eto'o:

"We can dream about playing in the final."

"Why can we not dream? We are Barça, a very important club like Manchester United and with similar star players. We cannot feel inferior."

"I am sure that with Lionel Messi and Deco we will improve. We will see how we can do in the semi finals and winning the first game will be very important."

"The fans were behind the team. My dream is to have the supporters like when we played Benfica. They are the 12th player. Their support can give us a goal."

Gianluca Zambrotta:

"The Champions League is different to the league. Against Manchester United we will have to play our own game."

"Manchester United are not only about Cristiano Ronaldo. They are playing well. It is a difficult tie for us, but also for them."

"Schalke surprised us a little by the way that they played. In the second half we played better and we created more chances on goal."

"Today we played with more focus, above all in defence. It was a game where we were more careful in defence."

"Against Getafe we played well, but had some bad luck. Now we only have to think about giving everything in the last few games."

"I still believe in our chances in the league."

Xavi Hernández:

"It was tough but what is most important is that we are in the semi finals."

"We were slightly anxious after the other day, but had a good attitude and I am sure we will improve even more."

"It will be an attractive tie and well will see some good football because they like to play well too."

Andrés Iniesta:

"It will be complicated, but a great tie now that we have reached the semi final."

"We will have to play with everything we have."

Thierry Henry:

"Playing in the semi finals is exciting. We will play against a team in incredible form."

"Now Deco and Messi are coming back and that is positive for us."

"We have had to work very hard, but in the Champions League it is never easy to win. I remember Barça-Benfica when the Portuguese side had a lot of chances and Barça ended up winning the trophy."

"We want to play better and we can, but we also have to know how to win like this."

"We left too many spaces in the first half. But what is important is that we are in the semi finals."

"They played a different game from the one over there. They wanted to score from the start."

Carles Puyol:

"I am pleased to have qualified, but I am very annoyed to be missing the first game."

"Manchester United have a great team and they are a great club with superb players. It will be a great semi final."

"Now we have players coming back and I expect to win."

"I understand that people lost confidence. But if we win all our league games then we can change the situation and see what happens after that."

Víctor Valdés:

"Schalke were a very good team. We played very well though and were able to counter-attack against them."

"We want to repeat the success of two seasons ago. It will be difficult against such a strong team."

"Manchester United are a difficult side, but we have done well in the two-legged elimination ties. I am sure it will be an attractive couple of games."