MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Manchester United's remarkable recovery to eliminate Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16 has instilled a belief they can also end Barcelona's European dreams.
The Spanish champions travel to Old Trafford on Wednesday (April 10) for the first leg of their quarter-final tie aiming to take another step closer to a third treble of La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey since 2009.
United have the onerous task of stopping an in-form Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, but Solskjaer is confident his side have learned from their mistakes in losing 2-0 at home to PSG before pulling off a miraculous 3-1 victory in Paris to progress on away goals.
"I can feel the tension, the excitement. I felt the mood ahead of PSG home game was different. We have learnt from that PSG game," said the Norwegian, who was appointed United's new permanent manager last month after a highly successful caretaker spell in charge.
"Of course when you get Barcelona, with the quality of their team, we know we need to step up our game.
"We know we need to perform to our best levels, which we didn't against PSG at home. The outcome of the second leg against PSG has given the players and supporters belief that the same is possible against Barcelona."
United's comeback at the Parc des Princes was even more remarkable as Solskjaer was without 10 first-team players.
He is short-handed once more with Ander Herrera, Antonio Valencia and Eric Bailly absent through injury.
However, Solskjaer is hopeful that Marcus Rashford and Nemanja Matic will be fit despite failing to take a full part in training on Tuesday.
"He needed an extra warm-up and hopefully he won't get a reaction," said Solskjaer on Rashford's fitness.
"Let's see tomorrow, but hopefully he can be ready."
Paul Pogba will return from suspension after being sent-off in the first leg defeat to PSG.
Pogba has yet to truly shine on the Champions League stage for United, but amid speculation that the French World Cup winner could be tempted by a summer move to Real Madrid, Solskjaer called on the club's record signing to focus on his job tomorrow and rise to the big occasion.
"At Paul's best he can run a game like this," said Solskjaer.
"Paul is looking forward to tomorrow. He is a Manchester United player and he is one of our big performers on the big stage.
"He knows the game against PSG was not his greatest moment. He is only focused on tomorrow playing well against Barcelona and I cannot see him not playing for Manchester United next season."
Asian Cup: 'Emotional breakdown' as Japan stun imploding Iran
Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend's action
Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao - Press Conference FULL VIDEO - Face Off 3/11.15 Mauka Mauka (Quarter Finals Ka Mauka) - ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 UFC 185 Embedded: Vlog Series - Episode 5
Alexandre Lacazette scored the only goal as Arsenal beat Napoli 1-0 on Thursday to advance to the Europa League semi-finals 3-0 on aggregate.
Arsenal win in Napoli to reach Europa League semi-finals
England have moved up six places to sixth in the latest FIFA world rankings. The Three Lions' brilliant run to the World Cup semi-finals in Russia has seen the nation rise to their highest
FIFA World Rankings - Wikipedia
Crowds flock to Argentine village to pay tribute to footballer Sala Date created : 16/02/2019 - 17:35 Relatives and friends are pictured through a screen during the wake of late Argentine football
Crowds flock to Argentine village to pay tribute to
From Madrid - Jurgen Klopp has vowed that winning the Champions League on Saturday night "is only the start" for Liverpool, and that his young team be looking to win more trophies in the years to
Klopp warns Europe: 'This is only the start for Liverpool
Watford squeeze past QPR into FA Cup last eight. 1 Min Read. Soccer Football - FA Cup Fifth Round - Queens Park Rangers v Watford - Loftus Road, London, Britain - February 15, 2019 Watford's Troy
Watford squeeze past QPR into FA Cup last eight - Football
LONDON (DPA) - Pep Guardiola expects Kevin De Bruyne to miss this week's Manchester derby after the midfielder limped off with an injury on Saturday (April 20).. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Football: Guardiola expects De Bruyne to miss derby after
West Ham leave it late to see off spirited Huddersfield March 16 (Reuters) - WEST HAM UNITED 4 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 3 Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Huddersfield Town - London Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2019 West Ham's Javier Hernandez celebrates scoring their fourth goal with team mates Action Images
Football news - West Ham leave it late to see off spirited
We show you the best way to live stream the Chicago Cubs online without cable. Compare DIRECTV NOW, fuboTV, Hulu Live TV, PlayStation Vue, Sling TV, Xfinity Instant TV, or YouTube TV. Learn how to get a free trial and start watching your local RSN, ESPN, Fox, FS1, TBS, & MLB Network.
How to Watch Cubs Games Online Without Cable in 2018 | Heavy.com
Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial both injured in Manchester United's Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain Man Utd's Martial, Lingard to miss Chelsea, Liverpool matches : The Standard
Football: Man United's Martial, Lingard to miss Chelsea
0 comments:
Post a Comment