IT was almost four years to the day when Javi Gracia tried to stop a certain Lionel Messi.
That day Barcelona
scored seven against his Osasuna side while the Argentina ace bagged three.
Fast forward to Saturday and the Watford boss was trying and failing to stop Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.
But there was nothing his players could do as the Egyptian whizz scored four and Roberto Firmino got the other.
“They are both incredible players, they were both unstoppable,” Gracia said.
“Honestly, both are fantastic, and now Salah is in a very good moment, one of the best in Europe.
“But not only Salah, the whole Liverpool team is one of the best teams in Europe right now.
“It is difficult for us stopping an individual like Salah, like it is difficult stopping a team like Liverpool.
“We tried to play with three centre backs, to protect these kind of situations, we tried to be stronger at the back, but it wasn’t possible because sometimes you just can’t do anything.
“For me, Salah is not the same as Messi - at the same level in this moment, yes, and you have the same shape to play against the similar formations of the two teams - but you don’t prepare the same to play against both players, it is different.
“They are different types of forwards, but both are equally dangerous.
“It is very difficult to play against them, because they can both score in any moment.
“They have so many qualities, they can do it in a single moment.
“You can do everything right in your defence, and in one moment you are lost.”
GETTY
No comments:
Post a Comment