Abidal: “We want to finish the Champions League on a high note”
Berta Brau
Abidal thinks the Shakhtar game is important as it’s in the Champions League and the team wants to finish the group stages of the competition on a high note. Abidal also says he felt fine against Valencia.
The last game in the Champions League group stage between Barcelona and Shakhtar Donetsk is to be
played four days before the classic clash with Real Madrid. Although it is a dead rubber, Abidal
thinks that the Shakhtar game “is important as it’s in the Champions League and we want
to finish the group stages on a high note”.
First Shakhtar then Madrid
Despite the upcoming clash with Madrid, Abidal’s
priorities are clear. “First comes Shakhtar,” he said, “and then we’ll have
enough time to get ready for Madrid.”
“I’m almost 100%”
The Barcelona-Valencia match was Eric Abidal’s first after a month’s layoff with
injury. He played all ninety minutes and says he felt fine: “I’m okay, I did some stuff
before the game and everything went right out on the park. I’m almost 100%”.
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Five days away from Madrid
Though he’s focussing on Tuesday’s Champions League clash, Abidal admits the team
haven’t forgotten the last time they faced Madrid. “Last year was tough,” he
said, “but this year will be different as no two games are alike.” He thinks it
possible that Schuster wants to take the pressure off his players, “but lots of things can
happen in a game and you just have to wait and see”.