Abidal eyes return for Wembley final
Reuters - Wednesday 04 May 2011, 07:15
BARCELONA - Barcelona and France defender
Eric Abidal, who had surgery on a liver tumour in March, is
hoping to be back to full fitness for the Champions League Final
at the end of this month.
Abidal drew by far the biggest cheer of the night at the Nou
Camp on Tuesday when he came on as a substitute in the closing
minutes of the semi-final second leg that Barca drew 1-1 with
arch rivals Real Madrid to advance 3-1 on aggregate.
"I hope to be ready for the final," the popular Abidal, who
had been on superb form before the operation, told reporters.
"I have never experienced this before," he added, referring
to the incredible reception he was given by the nearly 100,000
fans thronging the vast arena.
"I can sense that the people love me and I love them too and
will try to do my best for them on the pitch, as always.
"I am feeling fine, I didn't do anything for three weeks and
now I'm working hard. My dream was to come back and help the
team with so many injuries."
Abidal's absence along with injuries to centre back Gabriel
Milito and full-backs Maxwell and Adriano left coach Pep
Guardiola short in defence and he was forced to deploy
midfielder Javier Mascherano in the middle alongside Spain
international Gerard Pique.
Captain Carles Puyol, who typically plays in the centre,
took Abidal's usual position of left-back as Barca successfully
nullified Real's formidable forward line including Cristiano
Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain and substitute Emmanuel Adebayor.
"I am happy for the group and the fans," Abidal said after
Barca, the 2009 winners, qualified for their second final in
three seasons and a meeting with English Premier League leaders
Manchester United or Bundesliga side Schalke 04.
They will return to London's Wembley stadium on May 28, the
scene of their first triumph in Europe's elite club competition
in 1992, which Guardiola took part in as a player.
"Let's see if we can complete the cycle," Abidal added.
"I remember how they won in 1992 and I'd like to do it
again. But there is a lot of training and matches in between, we
have to take this game step by step."