Matic targets Euro joy after huge win
Nemanja Matic believes victory against bitter rivals Liverpool is a timely boost ahead of Manchester United’s biggest game of the season against Sevilla.
The Champions League last-16 clash is evenly poised ahead of tomorrow’s return leg after David De Gea inspired Jose Mourinho’s men to a goalless draw in Spain.
United have won three straight matches since the first-leg draw, with moraleboosting successes against Chelsea and Crystal Palace complemented by Saturday’s 2-1 triumph over Liverpool.
Marcus Rashford’s firsthalf brace proved the difference as United increased their stranglehold on second spot in the Premier League.
“Very important,” defensive midfielder Matic said of the Liverpool win.
“Very important for our confidence to win this sort of game, so confidence will be on a high level, for sure.
“We have to see what we did well to continue like this. We have to know where we made mistakes to improve.
“The next game is very important for us, maybe the most important game of the season.
“We have to beat Sevilla to go through, so we give our best.”
Matic hopes to make the United fans proud again on Tuesday after a ruthless firsthalf display at Old Trafford, where things would have been far less nervy had Juan Mata managed to make it 3-0 with an acrobatic attempt.
For Liverpool keeper Loris Karius, it was a frustrating day.
“In the second half, we did well but the first half of course was not really good so it’s frustrating,” he said.
“We didn’t defend the counter-attack so good when they had their moments.”