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DM.has("lightBox");I'm the best, so I don't fear Barcelona star Messi - Evra vow to stop Barca dangerman (again)
By Ian Ladyman
Last updated at 12:03 AM on 22nd May 2009
Along with two-and-a-half years of largely impressive performances for Manchester
United, Patrice Evra has also contributed one of the Premier League’s most
memorable recent quotes.
Reflecting on a debut against Manchester City in January 2006 that saw him substituted for his own safety at halftime, the Frenchman said: ‘It was terrible. Like being caught up in a washing machine.’
Since that day at Eastlands, Evra has grown, both as a footballer and in confidence.
No way, Lionel: Evra tames Messi in last year's semi-final
At United’s Champions League final press day this week, the Frenchman said: ‘I’ve played for Manchester United for three years and had one bad game, so I was actually happy with the criticism because it made me believe I’m the best left back in the world.
'When you’ve had one bad game and people are criticising you, it makes you proud.’
Evra was referring to the stick he received after being given the runaround by Aaron Lennon in the Carling Cup final victory over Tottenham in February. So, along with his debut, that makes it two bad games at least.
Regardless, for a player not even regarded as the best French left back - Barcelona’s Eric Abidal is the current starter for France - his claim to be the world’s best is bold and one that will be put thoroughly to the test when the 28-year-old faces up to the mercurial Argentine Lionel Messi in next Wednesday’s Champions League final in Rome.
Abidal will not play for Barcelona next week. He is suspended. Nevertheless, Evra has perhaps upped the ante a little ahead of the third Champions League final of his career, his first having come with Monaco in 2004.
‘I don’t have to prepare any differently because it’s Messi, because every day in training I am up against people like Rooney, Berbatov, Ronaldo and Tevez, so you know what to do against big players,’ added Evra.
‘The only thing is, against Messi you can stop him 10 times, but if he passes you once and scores, people say, “Evra played a poor game”. That’s why you have to be focused for the whole game against him.
Evra in action for United against Arsenal last weekend
'I don’t know if he’s better this year, but he’s scored more goals and has probably been more important for Barcelona. I respect him but must make sure he doesn’t play well again.’
Evra’s performances against Messi during United’s two-legged semi-final victory over Barcelona last season certainly were impressive and he has every right to reflect with some pride.
He also dealt with Theo Walcott efficiently as United knocked out Arsenal earlier this month.
‘Last year was last year and this is totally different,’ Evra said. ‘But I was very proud of myself after the semi-final against Barcelona, because I’d done my job very well.
'I won’t forget that but this is a new year and I must make sure I do my job just as well again. I need to attack, play my own game and enjoy my own game.
‘It’s a privilege to play against a player like that because when it’s over, you have proved something to yourself. When you’ve played a game like this and defended well,
you can be very pleased with yourself.’
One of United’s most impressive players last season, Evra has occasionally struggled for consistency this time. Hampered by injury and a ban imposed by the
FA after last May’s post-match handbags at Chelsea, he has only recently returned to his best.
With form has come attitude, too. He chose to describe Arsenal as ‘babies’ after the clubs’ Champions League meeting and then mimicked Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez as he celebrated Michael Carrick’s winning goal at Wigan nine days ago.
‘For me the ban was an injustice,’ he recalled. ‘OK, now it’s finished but it is still in my heart, I still have pain about it. I remember every day in the gym thinking of coming back.
Patrice Evra endured a torrid debut for United against neighbours City in 2006
‘I was angry before the comeback game against Chelsea, and although I played well, that ban killed me.
‘Every year here I think I have improved. I have been honoured to be named in the World’s Best XI twice, the Premier League XI twice, and things like that make you believe - but it’s not easy.
‘You can be the best left back in the world but if you play badly in the final, people will say you’re the worst.
‘And of course I am playing against Messi, so it won’t be easy.
‘I remember when I arrived in Manchester it was difficult for the first six months but I never had a problem with myself because I knew what I could do.’
A second consecutive Champions League winner’s medal would certainly help.
Police surge for final
By Ian Ladyman
Last updated at 12:03 AM on 22nd May 2009
Along with two-and-a-half years of largely impressive performances for Manchester
United, Patrice Evra has also contributed one of the Premier League’s most
memorable recent quotes.
Reflecting on a debut against Manchester City in January 2006 that saw him substituted for his own safety at halftime, the Frenchman said: ‘It was terrible. Like being caught up in a washing machine.’
Since that day at Eastlands, Evra has grown, both as a footballer and in confidence.
No way, Lionel: Evra tames Messi in last year's semi-finalAt United’s Champions League final press day this week, the Frenchman said: ‘I’ve played for Manchester United for three years and had one bad game, so I was actually happy with the criticism because it made me believe I’m the best left back in the world.
'When you’ve had one bad game and people are criticising you, it makes you proud.’
Evra was referring to the stick he received after being given the runaround by Aaron Lennon in the Carling Cup final victory over Tottenham in February. So, along with his debut, that makes it two bad games at least.
Regardless, for a player not even regarded as the best French left back - Barcelona’s Eric Abidal is the current starter for France - his claim to be the world’s best is bold and one that will be put thoroughly to the test when the 28-year-old faces up to the mercurial Argentine Lionel Messi in next Wednesday’s Champions League final in Rome.
Abidal will not play for Barcelona next week. He is suspended. Nevertheless, Evra has perhaps upped the ante a little ahead of the third Champions League final of his career, his first having come with Monaco in 2004.
‘I don’t have to prepare any differently because it’s Messi, because every day in training I am up against people like Rooney, Berbatov, Ronaldo and Tevez, so you know what to do against big players,’ added Evra.
‘The only thing is, against Messi you can stop him 10 times, but if he passes you once and scores, people say, “Evra played a poor game”. That’s why you have to be focused for the whole game against him.
Evra in action for United against Arsenal last weekend'I don’t know if he’s better this year, but he’s scored more goals and has probably been more important for Barcelona. I respect him but must make sure he doesn’t play well again.’
Evra’s performances against Messi during United’s two-legged semi-final victory over Barcelona last season certainly were impressive and he has every right to reflect with some pride.
He also dealt with Theo Walcott efficiently as United knocked out Arsenal earlier this month.
‘Last year was last year and this is totally different,’ Evra said. ‘But I was very proud of myself after the semi-final against Barcelona, because I’d done my job very well.
'I won’t forget that but this is a new year and I must make sure I do my job just as well again. I need to attack, play my own game and enjoy my own game.
‘It’s a privilege to play against a player like that because when it’s over, you have proved something to yourself. When you’ve played a game like this and defended well,
you can be very pleased with yourself.’
One of United’s most impressive players last season, Evra has occasionally struggled for consistency this time. Hampered by injury and a ban imposed by the
FA after last May’s post-match handbags at Chelsea, he has only recently returned to his best.
With form has come attitude, too. He chose to describe Arsenal as ‘babies’ after the clubs’ Champions League meeting and then mimicked Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez as he celebrated Michael Carrick’s winning goal at Wigan nine days ago.
‘For me the ban was an injustice,’ he recalled. ‘OK, now it’s finished but it is still in my heart, I still have pain about it. I remember every day in the gym thinking of coming back.
Patrice Evra endured a torrid debut for United against neighbours City in 2006‘I was angry before the comeback game against Chelsea, and although I played well, that ban killed me.
‘Every year here I think I have improved. I have been honoured to be named in the World’s Best XI twice, the Premier League XI twice, and things like that make you believe - but it’s not easy.
‘You can be the best left back in the world but if you play badly in the final, people will say you’re the worst.
‘And of course I am playing against Messi, so it won’t be easy.
‘I remember when I arrived in Manchester it was difficult for the first six months but I never had a problem with myself because I knew what I could do.’
A second consecutive Champions League winner’s medal would certainly help.
Police surge for final
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015