We’ll make sure semi-final is not run of the Mil for Barca stars
BY DAVID MADDOCK JAMES MILNER insists Barcelona should be just as scared of them as many reckon the Reds should be of the La Liga giants.
The Anfield men booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals against the Catalans by thumping Porto 4-1 to coast to a 6-1 aggregate quarter-final triumph.
Veteran midfielder Milner knows all about the daunting task waiting for the Anfield men against Lionel Messi and Co.
Twice with Manchester City he went to the Nou Camp praying for a miracle, twice those hopes were crushed.
Yet the 33-year-old has an abrupt response for those who question the Reds or who wonder if they are good enough to live with Barcelona.
Milner said: “Of course we can beat Barca. We know it is a tough place to go, they are a strong team but I don’t think they will have played too many teams like us. So it will be tough for them too.
“They have strong individuals. So we will have to try to stop that and play the way we do but they won’t have played against too many teams in the style we play either.
“I have played against Barcelona a couple of times before in the knockout stages and not had the greatest success. The Nou Camp is a fantastic stadium and a fantastic place to play with a great atmosphere.
“I’ve been there a couple of times in the knockout stages with City and not got the right result before so hopefully it is third time lucky for me.
“It will be tough and we will have to be at our best. But with the teams we have beaten in the Champions League we should go there with confidence.”