Eidur Gudjohnsen is relishing the prospect of playing Manchester United in the Champions League semi finals and thinks that their will be a lot of mutual respect between them and Barcelona.
In Catalunya, there are fears that the Premier League outfit could prove to be too strong for a Blaugrana team that has been so inconsistent in the league, but the Icelandic international does not agree.
“I would say to our fans that Manchester United also know about our quality and will be worried about us. There will be two great games of football in general because of the strength of both teams. We are conscious that we are going to have to step up a level in the Champions League,” he said.
Gudjohnsen has said before each round has been drawn that he wanted to meet United and now Barça have been picked out against them he is delighted.
“They are a team that always want to play football and they leave more space that others. Liverpool or Chelsea, for example, are physically strong and do not have as much quality, but they sit back, stay compact and do not leave space. I would prefer to meet one of those two in the final,” he continued.
Reflecting on talk of the second leg being at Old Trafford making United favourites, Gudjohnsen does not believe that the venue will affect Barça. “It is a very big stadium and is a great arena, but to call it the Theatre of Dreams, well, I don’t know. That is perhaps somewhat exaggerated.
“Camp Nou is the same. I was lucky enough to play here before signing and it was impressive. Away from the stadiums, it is two of the best teams in the world playing each other in what will be two fantastic games.”
If Barça had not made their move to sign Gudjohnsen for Chelsea then he could well have been lining up against them in the semi final as United wanted him when he was at Chelsea.
“Certainly before I came to Barça they were interested in me on a couple of occasions. It is an honour that Ferguson wanted me because he is a living legend in the game and has done so many great things,” he said. “Chelsea may not have wanted to sell me to a rival, but when they told me Barcelona were interest, signing for them was always my first option.”
Lucas Brown, Goal.com
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