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Earlier at this time, Barcelona discovered their opponents within the Spherical of 16 of the UEFA Champions League and it surprisingly occurred to be a crew they’ve already locked horns with this season – Benfica.
The sport between Barcelona and the Portuguese giants might be the sport of the event as far as it included targets from open play, weird finishes and penalises in abundance.
In the long run, nonetheless, it was a last-gasp winner from Raphinha that bought all three factors for Barcelona and helped them affirm their berth within the knockouts of the UCL.
Benfica official weighs in
Benfica’s Director of Worldwide Relations Simao was on the draw earlier at this time and spoke to the media after his crew drew Barcelona, the membership the place he too performed for 2 seasons.
As a part of his interview, the previous Barcelona participant praised Lamine Yamal for his high quality however urged his gamers to not be intimidated by the teenage sensation.
“He’s a crack and a phenomenon however we are able to’t be afraid. Being afraid of concern is the worst. It’s important to respect him.”
“He’s doing very effectively. Barça are doing an awesome job with Lamine, not solely in soccer,” he added.
Concurrently, Simao additionally weighed in on Pau Cubarsi who’s doing equally spectacular issues at a really related age to Yamal.
“He is identical degree however due to the standard he has and the character as a defender it isn’t straightforward.”
Elaborating on the issue of creating oneself as a star defender at a younger age in comparison with a ahead, he added,
“Lamine is an attacker that we should face however Cubarsi appears to be 4 or 5 years older similar to our centre-back Antonio Silva when he debuted. They each have loads of peace of thoughts.”
Lamine and Barcelona will face Benfica subsequent month. (Picture by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Photographs)
The Benfica administrator then went on to talk about the sport between Barcelona and his crew earlier this season which led to a last-gasp win for the Catalans towards the run of play.
“The 2 groups have been excellent however we misplaced the sport unfairly. We each have high quality gamers and we all know what we play. I don’t like to speak in regards to the previous nevertheless it was an awesome sport.”
Simao was then requested to talk on what set Barcelona other than different groups and why they have been so highly effective this season beneath Hansi Flick.
“Barça know very effectively learn how to hold the ball and in a fast counter they kill you and annihilate you. They’ve gamers with loads of velocity and a combination of their sport that complicates it lots.”
“It is going to be two video games with targets as a result of we additionally make an early stress. It is going to be tough and exhausting however we’re ready,” he added.
The ex-Barça star then moved on to talking about La Masia which has seen a resurgence lately however has been churning out younger skills from time immemorial.
“Already in my time younger gamers who had the chance started to rise,” he started.
“We proceed to wager on the quarry like Barça. They’ll’t display their high quality in the event that they don’t have the chance,” he added, evaluating Benfica’s academy to Barcelona’s.
“Benfica and Barça do very effectively by betting on the quarry and valuing the work of the coaches,” he concluded.
Lastly, Simao spoke on how it could be to return to Catalonia in any case these years and the way he nonetheless maintained a number of good relations with these within the membership places of work.
“It’s all the time particular to return to Barcelona. The emotional half is necessary. I nonetheless have pals and communicate with them, Carlos Naval, Dr. Ricard (Pruna), Deco, with whom I performed within the nationwide crew, and Bojan, additionally buddy.”
“I spent two years at Barça, I discovered and loved lots however now it’s my flip to defend Benfica, the place I additionally performed for six years,” he concluded.
Supply: Mundo Deportivo
