Evra: Marking Messi easy peasy
442 Staff - Friday 22 May 2009, 16:28
Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra is confident he will be
able to negate the threat of Barcelona forward Lionel Messi in next
Wednesday's Champions League final.
The French international has the unenviable task of attempting to
keep the diminutive Argentine quiet in Rome, as the Red Devils bid to
become the first team to ever win back-to-back Champions League crowns.
But the 28-year-old, who celebrated winning the Premier League title
last weekend following United's goalless draw with Arsenal, feels he is
back to his best in time to help Sir Alex Ferguson's side complete a
quadruple of trophies in 2008/09.
"Every year I think I have improved. I have been honoured to be
named in the world's best XI twice, the Premier League XI twice, and
things like that make you believe," he said.
"You can be the best left-back in the world but if you play badly in the final, people will say you're the worst.
"Of course, I am playing against Messi, so it won't be easy."
And the former Monaco man is quick to dismiss suggestions that Messi will give him a torrid time similar to the one Spurs
livewire winger Aaron Lennon dished out during this year's Carling Cup final at Wembley.
"I had one bad game in the Carling Cup final and people said I wasn't the same player as last year," he said.
"I've played for Manchester United for three years and had one bad
game, so I was actually happy with the criticism because it made me
believe I'm the best left-back in the world.
"When you've had one bad game and people are criticising you, it makes you proud. I said after that, 'okay, we will see'.
"After that I think I showed people who criticised me my real form
again, and you can see that now. I think the criticism helps you become
stronger."
NEWS: Messi - Classy Catalans deserve to win in Rome
NEWS: Rijkaard: United have got no chance
NEWS: Rio's Rome hopes hinge on Hull
NEWS: Henry and Iniesta on course for final
NEWS: O'Shea coy on Rome start speculation
NEWS: Ferguson anticipating fantastic final
NEWS: Foreign Office advice for fans heading to Rome
NEWS: All white on the night for Reds in Rome
UNITED FANS! Check FourFourTwo.com’s ever-expanding interviews archive for more stuff to read:
Web Exclusives Wayne Rooney, Peter Schmeichel, Carlos Tevez
Q&A Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud Van Nistlerooy
One on One David Beckham, George Best
Ask A Silly Question Bryan Robson
Boy's A Bit Special Danny Simpson
Perfect XI Garth Crooks, Bryan Robson, Sir Bobby Charlton, Eric Cantona
What Happened Next? David May, Norman Whiteside
Sing When You’re Winning Dominic Monaghan, Ian Brown
And Another Thing Being a Big Four fan
Plus! Rate United players (and others) on Talentspotter
BARCELONA FANS! Check FourFourTwo.com’s ever-expanding interviews section for more stuff to read:
Q&A Samuel Eto'o, Cesc Fabregas
Web Exclusives Cesc Fabregas, Gary Lineker
One on One Mark Hughes, Thierry Henry, Ronaldo
Perfect XI Gheorghe Hagi, Hristo Stoichkov, Ronald Koeman
Plus! Rate Barca players (and others) on Talentspotter