FCBARCELONA.CAT

27.01.2009 14:50

"We’ve got to be quick”

Edgar Fornós

With just two days to go before the Copa del Rey return leg, Alexander Hleb has said “the key to beating Espanyol is to get the ball moving around quickly and to try to score early”.

Next Thursday the Copa del Rey will once again be the focus of attention. Following the goalless draw at Montjuïc there is everything to play for at the Camp Nou. Belarusian star Alexander Hleb deduces that “Espanyol will come to play on the counter attack and so we will need to score early to force them to bring their defensive line forward. If we can get the ball circulating quick, we’ll be able to find spaces.”

Double motivation

Hleb thinks it is essential to maintain the side’s good form as “playing Espanyol is an added motivation because this is a derby and it is important that we are on the point of qualification for the semi finals. It will be hard. Both of us will be going for it 100% to try to win and get through the round. I hope we get a good result and can give our fans something to feel happy about.”

Going for goal

The striker has not been having a lot of fortune this season in the goalscoring department. “I know I need to shoot more in order to get more goals. I am working hard every day on that aspect. The coach has given me some advice on ways I can do more in front of the goal.”

Praise for Henry

Alexander Hleb had already played alongside Thierry Henry at Arsenal, and now they are together again at Barça. The Belarusian has noted that his French colleague is on sparkling form. “He is playing very well and has a fistful of goals this season. Although he is not playing in the same position as he did at Arsenal, he is still offering good performances.”