Samuel Eto’o has yet to score during the pre-season, but this is not worrying him too much. The team has won four out of four, and that’s what matters most to the Cameroon international.
Samuel Eto’o was speaking to the press for the first time on the tour, in Hong Kong in the
traditional pre-match presentation. Joined by Frank Rijkaard and Ronaldinho, he looked back on the
first few days of the tour and reviewed his personal performances.
Winning is what counts
Samuel Eto’o didn’t score in Scotland, and has
failed in Asia too, but he doesn’t want people to make too much of that. “That’s
football” he said. “The important thing is to win and build up confidence. I
don’t mind if I don’t score because I know how to, what I care about is the team
winning. The goals will come sooner or later.”
He has certainly provided some assists, including the pass to Giovanni to score in Yokohama,
and most values the opportunity to get match fit. “I am feeling better every day” he
said. “I have plenty of time to get ready and get back to feeling like I did before my
injury. I am fairly happy”.
‘Titi’ finding form
Eto’o teamed up in attack with Ronaldinho and Henry in Japan, but rather than discuss
that, he preferred to analyse the form of Thierry Henry: “I think ‘Titi’ is
getting better and better. I hope it won’t take long for him to reach 85% to 90% of his
capabilities, which won’t be bad considering he’s coming back from an injury.”
Rijkaard impressed with team spirit
Frank Rijkaard agrees with Eto’o that time is needed
before reaching conclusions regarding the club’s new French star. “He is working harder
every day” said the manager. “You must remember he has just returned from injury and
needs to find his rhythm, but he’s adapting well.” He is generally very happy with his
new signings, especially, it seems, the young players, saying “the group gives me a good
feeling. There is team spirit.”
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Ronaldinho: “This team can win the Champions League’”
Ronaldinho is aware of just how much better the team is with its new signings, which are the ideal
complement to an already strong block of players. “The team has all it needs to win the
Champions League” he said. “I am confident about this team. If we do things properly,
we have a great chance to win back the Champions League.”