"We would be stupid to come with too much pressure"

Brest coach Eric Roy said on Monday, on the eve of their Champions League matchday five clash at the Stadio Olimpico Lluis Companys against Barcelona, that they will "be proactive" despite admitting that "it's practically impossible" to win.

"We would be stupid to come with too much pressure. Playing against a team with the history and strength of Barca is an incredible challenge. We have to pinch ourselves to believe we are here. We want to have fun and we have nothing to lose, but we don't come here in flip-flops. We've come here to compete against a very big team, with respect but without fear", explained the coach.

Speaking from the press room at the Joan Gamper training complex, Roy considered that "although it is practically impossible" to beat Barca, the French side will try to "take advantage of their chances to the maximum".

“We want to be proactive, which is what we have always tried to do. Our will is to put them in trouble and contest the possession. If Barca are too strong, we will congratulate them, but I tell my players that we have to play at our level and be very resilient throughout the 90 minutes,” he stressed.

On the fact that Barcelona are coming into the game having failed to win their last two games, Roy compared the Catalan side to “a slightly wounded animal” that “will want to react”.

On the other hand, he regretted the absence of Lamine Yamal: “When you play in these competitions, you always want to play against the best. If Lamine is out, there will be someone else who will do just as well or even better. We will have to play our best football to survive," he concluded.

 

November 25, 2024