UEFA Champions League News: ‘If Barcelona knock United out of Europe it will be a personal satisfaction for me’ – Coutinho
What's the story?
Former Anfield fan-favorite, Philippe Coutinho, has said that knocking Liverpool's arch-rivals Manchester United out of the UEFA Champions League would give him a huge deal of personal satisfaction, in an interview with Mirror.
LaLiga leaders Barcelona take on the Red Devils in their Champions League quarter-finals fixture and face a tricky first leg visit to Old Trafford in the upcoming mid-week.
In case you didn't know...
Since the turn of the century the Premier League giants and the Catalan giants have gone head to head on four occasions in Europe's elite competition, with the Spanish side having the upper hand in the clashes with two wins, while United only winning one game and one match ending in a goalless draw.
Blaugrana beat Manchester United in the finals of 2009 and 2011 edition of the competition, with their captain Lionel Messi scoring in either game.
The heart of the matter...
Coutinho, who knows how high the stakes can get in a fixture against United at their home turf, said that he is determined to knock them out of the Champions League with his current club Barcelona.
He expects the home fans to target himself and Luis Suarez, due to their association with Liverpool in the past, but believes that the stick from the stands will only motivate the duo, even more, to play better. He said:
“If they boo myself and Luis Suarez, then that’s normal at Old Trafford because of the team we used to play for. But it won’t make any difference to me."
“And, even more than that, it is an incentive to play better and to be even more focused."
He explained that the games against United are special and he felt the intensity of the Anfield faithful whenever the two sides used to clash in the league. He also claimed that if Barca overcome United in their forthcoming meetings, he'll be one satisfied guy. He continued:
“I know that games against Manchester United are special. I learned what they meant during my time at Liverpool when we lived it so intensely with the fans."
“I have that nailed in my memory and, even though this is a different stage, if Barcelona knock United out of Europe, it will be a double personal satisfaction for me.”
The Brazilian might face an emotional trip to Anfield in the semi-finals of the competition if his current and former club emerge victorious in the current round.
What's next?
Having appointed Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, who led the side to an impressive comeback against PSG in their RO 16 fixtures, as their permanent manager, United would be looking to become the first English side since Chelsea to win the competition, who lifted the trophy back in 2012.
But they must defeat a robust Barcelona side, who have put the pedal to the metal in hopes of securing an unprecedented third treble.