Champs League clash bigger than World Cup: Ferguson
Alex Ferguson believes the Champions League quarter-final first leg clash on Tuesday between his Manchester United team and the defending champions Real Madrid will provide better entertainment than recent World Cup finals.
"I think that the European Champions League is bigger than the World Cup because all the best players are here in Europe," said Ferguson at a press conference here Monday.
"Look at Real Madrid. Figo, Ronaldo and Zidane are a world class selection. Even if you look at us, we can call upon a variety of different nationalities such as (Juan Sebastian) Veron, (Roy) Keane and (Ryan) Giggs.
"If you look at the last three or four World Cups, they don't compare with the Champions League in terms of entertainment and goals," added the Scot.
Ferguson insisted that despite his comments in the British press over the weekend, most of which he stood by, he still held the play of Real Madrid in the highest regard.
"
The key factor in European games is respect, whether we are playing Inter Milan or Real Madrid. Real Madrid deserve that recognition any way, their record speaks for itself," said Ferguson.
Ferguson suggested at the weekend that Real Madrid had undue influence with UEFA because of their history and reputation.
However Ferguson admitted that he had, to use English sporting parlance, got his retaliation in first in the mind games that often accompany encounters at this level.
Mischief
"There were verbal attacks last time by Real Madrid players on Beckham and Giggs. You get that and expect that sort of mischief, but we weren't going to let them get away with it again," commented Ferguson with a cheeky grin.
He repeated his claims that Real Madrid had got off lightly concerning the possible suspension of their rampaging Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos, who pushed a referee during a friendly against Portugal 10 days ago.
The World Cup winner was suspended on Monday by the sport's governing body FIFA but his ban does not affect playing for Real Madrid.
"Real Madrid are a powerful club and they have a lot of influence," alluded Ferguson.
"I was making the point that the two Portuguese players that in recent times manhandled a referee in internationals both got lengthy bans that included club football.
"But we don't mind if Roberto Carlos plays against us. In fact we've been expecting that he would play."
To counter the threat of Roberto Carlos and his compatriot Ronaldo, Ferguson is expected to use England international Nicky Butt alongside Roy Keane in midfield in place of the suspended Phil Neville.
Butt will be hoping to do better than the last time he faced the Brazilian duo - along with fellow United players David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand - which was in the World Cup quarter-finals last summer when England lost 2-1 to the eventual World Cup winners.
Beckham was on the United bench in Saturday's 4-0 win over Liverpool, due to a slight cold, but should be fit enough to take over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with Paul Scholes pushed forward in support of Ruud van Nistelrooy.
www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2003/04/08/827276.htm]http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2003/04/08/827276.htm[/url]
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