Champions League: Evra warns United to show vampire kill instinct

Barca want focus to be on Europe, not El Clasico.

CLUJ-NAPOCA: Patrice Evra has warned Manchester United’s stars to rediscover their killer instinct or risk humiliation in tonight’s Champions League clash against Romanian minnows CFR Cluj.

United travel to Transylvania, the supposedly vampire-filled setting of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, for their second Group H fixture on the back of a disappointing 3-2 home defeat against Tottenham on Saturday.

Of their six matches so far, United have been behind in five, while they have kept just one clean sheet and conceded nine goals, leading French left-back Evra to fear his team could suffer even greater embarrassment against Cluj unless they show more mental strength.

“The game is 90 minutes long and we deserved to lose because we only played for 45,” said Evra. “To concede three goals at Old Trafford is not good enough. The problem is in our heads. It looked like we stayed in the hotel. The first 45 minutes had no speed, no focus, we didn’t win a lot of challenges and we conceded some silly goals. Maybe I am hard with myself and the team but we only showed the United face in the second half.”

Tireless Torres turns sights on Danish debutants

Meanwhile, Chelsea striker Fernando Torres says there is no need for him to be rested for the newcomers FC Nordsjaelland tonight.

The Spain international scored the opening goal as Chelsea won 2-1 at London rivals Arsenal on Saturday to galvanise their grip on top spot in the Premier League. With injuries having restricted Daniel Sturridge to just four substitute appearances this season and Didier Drogba having left the club in the summer, Torres has had to shoulder the goal-scoring burden alone.

“I’ve been resting last season too many games, so I’m fresh now,” said the 28-year-old, who has scored five goals in 10 appearances this season. “I’m feeling good and now we have a very important game against a great team. It’s an important game for us in the Champions League because we didn’t start with the three points.”

Barca keep eye on Europe, not El Clasico

Barcelona prepare for their Champions League clash away to Benfica tonight with one eye on the El Clasico next weekend but coach Tito Vilanova feels the European game is at least as important.

When Vilanova took over the helm from Pep Guardiola in the summer his target was not just to bring La Liga title back to Camp Nou but also the European crown which they have won twice in the last four years. Barcelona could not have started better in La Liga with six straight wins while they also made a victorious start to their European campaign with a tight 3-2 win over Spartak Moscow in their Group G opener.

“This next match is sufficiently important, almost more so than the league game (against Real Madrid at the weekend),” said Vilanova. “We are not in a position to think about games ahead as we have to give our best in each one. We are only just starting and now we face a Benfica side which has done well in the Champions League.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2012.