Sergio Busquets has warned his Barcelona team-mates they cannot use tiredness as an excuse when they take on Internazionale in a Champions League semi-final first-leg clash at the San Siro in Milan on Tuesday (19/10 Internazionale 23/10 draw 11/8 Barcelona – match betting).
The holders were on Monday preparing themselves for an overall trip of around 1,000 kilometres – including a stay in the French city of Cannes – on a coach because of the flight complications caused by the the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland.
The revised plan has led to suggestions Barca could suffer from heavy legs and tired minds when they finally arrive in Italy.
However, Catalan midfielder Busquets said there would be no complaints from the players.
He said: “We are in with a chance to reach another final and we don’t want to throw that away.”
He added: “We know Inter will make it tough for us. We have been having a lot of big games and it’s not the ideal way to travel to Milan, but there can be no excuses. We have to get a good result that will allow us to go into the second leg with confidence.”
The two teams met in the group stages of Europe’s premier club competition earlier this season – Barca drew 0-0 in Milan and beat Inter 2-0 at the Nou Camp – but Busquets has those games will count for precious little at the knockout stage of the tournament.
Jose Mourinho accused his Serie A title-chasers of standing and admiring the Spanish champions following the defeat and Busquets expects the Portuguese tactician will have done his homework.
He said: “Inter know us better and they will be better prepared for our tactics.”
Mourinho is desperate improve on Inter’s record of having not won a major European trophy since the European Champion Clubs’ Cup in 1965 and Busquets has warned it could be a difficult night (2/1 Internazionale – To Qualify).
He added: “Their confidence is high after getting through against teams like Chelsea and the fact that there is a chance of making the final will mean they come out really fired up.”
France international Eric Abidal is struggling to shake off a thigh injury but was expected to travel along with 20-year-old reserve defender Andreu Fontas in the only new additions to the squad that had to settle for a goalless draw with local rivals Espanyol in La Liga at the weekend.
However, coach Pep Guardiola is still missing Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta, who could be out until mid-May with a hamstring tear, and Ukraine international Dmitrio Chygrynskiy, who is ineligible.
Coach trip no concern for Busquets
The holders were on Monday preparing themselves for an overall trip of around 1,000 kilometres – including a stay in the French city of Cannes – on a coach because of the flight complications caused by the the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland.
The revised plan has led to suggestions Barca could suffer from heavy legs and tired minds when they finally arrive in Italy.
However, Catalan midfielder Busquets said there would be no complaints from the players.
He said: “We are in with a chance to reach another final and we don’t want to throw that away.”
He added: “We know Inter will make it tough for us. We have been having a lot of big games and it’s not the ideal way to travel to Milan, but there can be no excuses. We have to get a good result that will allow us to go into the second leg with confidence.”
The two teams met in the group stages of Europe’s premier club competition earlier this season – Barca drew 0-0 in Milan and beat Inter 2-0 at the Nou Camp – but Busquets has those games will count for precious little at the knockout stage of the tournament.
Jose Mourinho accused his Serie A title-chasers of standing and admiring the Spanish champions following the defeat and Busquets expects the Portuguese tactician will have done his homework.
He said: “Inter know us better and they will be better prepared for our tactics.”
Mourinho is desperate improve on Inter’s record of having not won a major European trophy since the European Champion Clubs’ Cup in 1965 and Busquets has warned it could be a difficult night (2/1 Internazionale – To Qualify).
He added: “Their confidence is high after getting through against teams like Chelsea and the fact that there is a chance of making the final will mean they come out really fired up.”
France international Eric Abidal is struggling to shake off a thigh injury but was expected to travel along with 20-year-old reserve defender Andreu Fontas in the only new additions to the squad that had to settle for a goalless draw with local rivals Espanyol in La Liga at the weekend.
However, coach Pep Guardiola is still missing Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta, who could be out until mid-May with a hamstring tear, and Ukraine international Dmitrio Chygrynskiy, who is ineligible.
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