By Nick Price
19 May 2011 14:43:00
Luis Nani, Manchester United
Related Links
Teams
Players
Nani has revealed that Manchester United‘s defeat to Barcelona in the 2009 Champions League will spur them on when the sides meet at Wembley to contest this season’s final.
The Portuguese ace, voted by his team-mates as the club’s Player of the Year, was an unused substitute in Rome two seasons ago, and saw his colleagues comfortably beaten 2-0 by Pep Guardiola’s men.
“The defeat against Barcelona in Rome hurt us so much and the whole team is very motivated this time,” said Nani, according to The Sun.
The winger, who has lost his place in the starting XI in recent weeks, believes if United are to make a better fist of it when the teams meet at the end of the month they will have to prevent the Catalans from retaining possession.
He added: “Nobody likes running after the ball, it’s very difficult. What we have to do is to try and steal the ball from them as soon as possible.
“This is the only way for us to score and to avoid them scoring against us, that’s clear.”
He also warned his team-mates not to be too pre-occupied with Fifa Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, saying: “I’ve always said Barcelona have a lot of talent. The way they play is so very special.”