Motta surveys size of task
Monday, December 4, 2006
Article summary
FC Barcelona's winner-takes-all confrontation with Werder Bremen at Camp Nou on Tuesday is "bigger than a final", according to midfielder Thiago Motta.
Article body
Tight situation
Despite beating PFC Levski Sofia 2-0 last time out, the UEFA Champions League holders go into their final Group A fixture on Tuesday two points behind Bremen, who joined Chelsea FC on ten points by beating the Londoners on Matchday 5. José Mourinho's team are already sure of their place in the knockout rounds because of their head-to-head record against the German club.
Importance
In the UEFA Champions League's short history no holders have failed to reach the knockout stage and Motta knows it would be a huge blow if Barcelona, who sit top of the Spanish Primera División, were to bow out in front of their own fans on Tuesday. "This game is more important than a final and we have to carry on playing like we did [against Levski]," he said.
Working hard
Shrugging aside the absence of key players such as last season's top scorer, Samuel Eto'o, Motta added: "We have a lot of players who've not been playing because of injury like Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi but the players who have come in are working hard to make sure they are not missed."