Eto'o looks to move on from Chelsea disappointment
Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o has again criticised Chelsea over the way they behaved during the Champions League clash at the Nou Camp, but insists he is now concentrating on guiding his side to domestic glory this season.
After the match between the two sides Chelsea coach Mourinho alleged that Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard had spoken with referee Anders Frisk in his dressing room at half-time during the 2-1 defeat for the London club.
Frisk has since retired from refereeing following death threats to him and his family, and Mourinho and his assistant Steve Clarke are both facing disrepute charges from UEFA as a result of that controversial night in Spain.
UEFA have said that Chelsea’s claims created “a poisoned and negative ambience” in an attempt to influence the second leg, and Chelsea could face the ultimate sanction of disqualification from the Champions League when their case is heard on March 31.
“For me I do not value those who talk too much when they lose and then when they win by using tricks they say they have achieved everything,” Eto’o said.
“It is a bad situation when his (Frisk’s) family is threatened, it is something ugly. Football is beautiful when it is like boxing, one loses and is without the title, but you can see he has given his all and that is how football should be - between professionals.”
Barcelona went out of the Champions League at the hands of Chelsea after a 5-4 aggregate defeat, following a 4-2 loss at Stamford Bridge in the second leg.
The striker believes Barcelona’s bitter experience in the competition this season has made the club even more determined to be a success in Europe next term.
“We lost the tie at the Nou Camp because we had the chances to finish them off but now there is no point continuing to look back,” Eto’o added.
“We have learnt from those mistakes and hopefully we won’t make them next year.”
In the meantime, Barcelona will aim to secure the Primera Liga trophy for the first time since 1999.
The Catalan giants are currently 11 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid in the standings, but Cameroon international Eto’o knows that Barca must maintain their focus.
“We cannot afford to relax because if we go to sleep then something terrible will happen,” he added.
“We have to realise that we can fail but we cannot let it happen. We have the title around the corner and we need to get there as soon as possible. Madrid are still a threat but they are second and we have to only think about ourselves, that is all I am interested in.
“We must not change our attacking style, the moment that we do it then we will have problems because it is difficult for us to compete for the ball in the air. We want to play with the ball, pass it and we have the players to do that.
“We have a great team and we are modest with our feet on the ground. We realise that football is the most important thing and I believe that this team is capable of achieving something special.
“We are young, we have big futures and most of all because we have the desire. When someone has won five or six leagues or three Champions Leagues then they think – oh well if we lose it, it doesn’t matter. But that isn’t the case for us – we have a lot of hunger.”
