Guangzhou Evergrande coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has warned Barcelona to expect a battle in Yokohama on Thursday. Barcelona will be without Neymar but Scolari insisted the Brazilian striker’s absence would make little difference.
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“Barcelona are one of the best teams on the planet, everybody knows that,” Scolari said. “But my players have the heart and the desire to make a game of it and I expect them to show that tomorrow.
“Neymar is one of the top three players in the world. He has the potential to be the best player in the world in the next five years but Barcelona have 25 Neymars. They have quality in every position.
“They have (Lionel) Messi, (Luis) Suarez, (Andres) Iniesta, the list goes on – players who can hurt you everywhere. It will be a huge challenge but one we relish.”
Scolari, known as “Big Phil” in his native Brazil, has fond memories of Yokohama, having led this country to their fifth World Cup triumph here in 2002 when they beat Germany 2-0 in the final.
“When we arrived on the bus today I had some nice flashbacks to that time,” said Scolari. “It’s a place which has great significance for Brazil. But that chapter of my life is over so let’s see what happens.”
Scolari compared Barca’s devastating ‘MSN’ strike-force of Messi, Suarez and Neymar to his 2002 trio Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho.
“It’s hard to say which attack was better,” said the 67-year-old. “But Barcelona’s MSN is absolutely world-class.”
Scolari will hope Brazilians Paulinho and Robinho can spark against a Barca side who have drawn their last three games.
“I don’t need to say anything to my players to give them any extra motivation,” insisted Scolari. “They’ve won the Chinese league, the Asian Champions League and beat Club America in our first game in Japan. That’s all the motivation they need.”
Evergrande captain Zheng Zhi promised that the Chinese would not be intimidated by their famed opponents. “We have been looking forward to this game. We don’t fear them. We will put our heart and soul into it,” said the veteran midfielder.
