Eto'o whets Barça's appetite

Fate has called upon Samuel Eto'o to rescue FC Barcelona's UEFA Champions League dreams once before - with dramatic results.

Comeback king
It was the Cameroonian international striker who sparked Frank Rijkaard's team back into life at the Stade de France last May, cancelling out Sol Campbell's first-half header and starting the comeback which culminated in Juliano Belletti depriving Arsenal FC of the European Champion Clubs' Cup.

Major injury
Once again the opposition is from England but this week the situation is still more challenging. Liverpool FC lead by 2-1 and the second leg of Barcelona´s title defence is at Fortress Anfield. Worse still, Barça's African goal machine has missed almost half the season with the first major injury of his entire career and although the reigning champions desperately need him to hit the high notes Eto'o is aware that he needs a little tuning.

English success
Scorer of the winning goal the last time he visited England on competitive duty, in the 2-1 group-stage victory at Chelsea FC, Eto'o also knows that even a similarly impressive result would merely qualify his team for extra time. However, those who know the recently deposed African Player of the Year will not be surprised that he still believes Barcelona's fate is in their own hands.

Inward focus
"I always say that it is not a case of thinking about your opponents, how they might play or what positive situation they might be in," Eto'o told uefa.com. "For a team like Barcelona the key is about you - how you know you can play, how determined you are and what you want to achieve in the game.

Complete commitment
"No matter who your rival is or what qualities they have they are going to try to defeat you - whether they are in the lead like now or they are trailing," he added. "But if you and your team are totally committed and have total concentration then perhaps you will go out on to the pitch hungrier for the victory and able to catch your rival by surprise."

Chastened man
Following brief appearances in two away matches and a five-star performance, plus a goal, at home against Athletic Club Bilbao, Eto'o seems healed but perhaps not fully recovered for a 90 minute performance in what promises to be an Anfield epic. He is glad to be back but nonetheless a chastened man after his time in injury rehabilitation.

Slow and steady
"The conclusion I've drawn after my injury and so many months fighting to get back is that should any player suffer an injury like mine then I'd tell him to take his time," said Eto'o. "The doctors tell you never to set a date and to just listen to the knee. But despite yourself you start musing about when it would be best for you, or best for the team for you to come back. You can't help imagining what the best comeback time might be. However, I now know that it's better for both you and your team-mates if you recover well and slowly rather than ahead of schedule but not fully healed."