Reds don’t worry us says boss
CELTA VIGO coach Eduardo Berizzo says his side have no fear about facing Manchester United tonight.
Celta host United in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final clash, with Berizzo adamant his players will not be overawed.
“More than feared, I would say Manchester United are respected,” said Berizzo, who won 13 caps as a no-nonsense defender for Argentina.
“We have played against many great teams in the Europa League this season and United are definitely one of them.
“Their history tells you that, but we will play with conviction, identity and heart.”
Berizzo is a disciple of former Athletic Bilbao coach Marcelo Bielsa, who beat United home and away in the Europa League in 2012, knocking out Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.
Celta coach Berizzo watched those games and said his mentor had shown him the way to beat United, even if the team is now different under Jose Mourinho.
“I saw Marcelo Bielsa’s match in Manchester and he found a tactical solution – that may be a clue for us to follow,” said Berizzo.
“But United know what they are doing in these games, how to manage the time, the pace, defence and attack.
“We want to go to Manchester with a result that gives us a chance of going through. The only way we can do that is by being faithful to the way we play.”
United have won only twice away to Spanish opposition, against Deportivo La Coruna in 2002 and Valencia in 2010.
Berizzo said: “We hope the statistics stay as they are, with just the two wins.
“To do that we have to be faithful to who we are.”