Ang futsal barca is in Riga (Latvia) to play this Friday (8:00 pm) the semifinals of Final Four ng Champions League against him benfica and before the important confrontation was the closing of the azulgrana Andre Coelhoa former Portuguese player, attended the MD to study the clash against his former team and examine Barça’s chances of winning the fourth Champions League in its history.
After winning the Cup they suffered casualties in recent games, how did the team get to the Final Four?
It’s been two months, but we’re doing well. We have lost many lives. Six or seven players had a problem and luckily the reserve team players helped us a lot. Now Ferrao and Pito are back and we will also see how Matheus is. The three of us can help a lot, they are among the best in the world. We have good feelings and you will find the fun. We have a lot of ambition to win this Champions League.
They will face Benfica, your old team, in the semifinals. What can you tell us about them?
This is going to be a very difficult game. They are a very strong team both individually and collectively. It’s hard to say a good point about Benfica. They are very good at attacking and have a lot of variety to play with a center or four and they also have very good one-on-one players. It will be very competitive and we have to give our best version. If we do our job we will win.
You have good friends there, have you talked these days about your confrontation?
The truth is, we talk very little about futsal. I have two or three personal friends and what we talked about is that this week we will be together after many months. Also to my friends from Sporting. I know the club and my colleagues very well. We would have coffee, to have fun with our families, but later on the track was different.
You’ve won the World Cup and European Championship but you’re missing out on the Champions League, how much do you want to get?
I have a lot (laughs). I was among the winners in Palau, but not both because I couldn’t play. This is the title that makes me happy, the most important of the season. I want to continue to win. This year, things went well. I feel good and confident, I help the team. This time I want to celebrate it on the pitch. Hopefully add another gold this year.
How did you experience that Final Four in Palau that you didn’t play?
It was very difficult then. They were my first months at Barça and I came under the illusion of playing it after stopping the competition because of Covid. I was looking forward to playing, but Andreu Plaza told me I had to stay out because I played the Elite Round with Benfica. It was very hard to watch the games from the stands and we also ended up with penalties. Now it’s over, but then I really enjoyed being with the whole team at the festival.
Last year they were close to winning the title, how do you remember the final at Sporting?
The final we lost last year was very difficult, personally as well. This is a missed opportunity. I think we were better and we had one of the best early stages I remember at Barça. We were leading 2-0 at the break, playing well and we thought it would be very difficult for Sporting to come back from behind, but that was our sport. Everything can change in a minute and we turn out to be losers.
Their squad is so experienced, do you think you will have an advantage in the Final Four?
Can be. All the players in the squad are accustomed to this type of match, as well as those from Benfica or Sporting. They are international on their national teams and have Champions League experience. Only by being in our best can we win these games.
Are they considered favorites to win the Champions League?
In this competition there are no favorites. I think all games will be 50-50. First with Benfica because they have a great team and they bet hard to win the Champions League. I don’t think we’re favorites. Later in the final will be just as complicated because Sporting and ACCS are also high level teams. Our goal is to win titles and this is the most important thing we have. We’re one of the strongest teams to win here, but not favorites.
This season you are more of a star, how do you assess your progress?
I also notice that I am more adapted and more helpful. It was a difficult first year. The first part of the season was complicated because he hadn’t played for a few minutes, but that was the life of a player who came to a club like Barcelona and a team that had been together for five years. It was hard, but in the second half of the season I started playing more and became more like André Coelho. This season I spoke to Velasco at the beginning of the season and I fully understood what he wanted from me. Our attack and defense have changed this year, but we are adapting well. I’m doing things well, what the coach asked of me and hopefully in the Final Four I can help win the title.
He renews until 2024 and he is 29 years old. Do you see yourself ending your career in Palau?
My priority is to renew for Barcelona. I’m very happy here, my wife is also very happy and for any futsal player coming to Barça is the best. The Spanish League is also the best in the world and my goal is to stay here for many years, continue to enjoy Palau and learn from my teammates.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
