By Myles Palmer
I like his remarks in today’s papers.
I’ve always said that good journalism is anything I agree with and that good managers say things I said the day before, or last week.
Here is what Arsene Wenger said yesterday: “Sol was brilliant against Tottenham but, though this game will be mentally easier for him, it will be a lot more difficult technically.”
Absolutely!
Skillwise, Deportivo are two leagues above Tottenham.
He said, “Against Spurs, it was all route one with lots of high balls and I know Sol and Martin Keown can always cope with that.
“Against La Coruna, it will be a Brazilian type of game, with everything on the ground.They play on the break and Tristan always knows where to go. He is an intelligent player, brilliant at exploiting the spaces left by
defenders.You cannot afford to let your concentration drop for one second.”
That is what I was trying to say yesterday.
Tristan is a powerful centre forward with guile.
Very economical : every run, every stride, means something.
He is one of the world’s best strikers and if he is sold it will be for a huge amount of money,maybe £35 million.
Arsene is still the super-optimist.
He said,”Deportivo are one of the best teams, better than anything we faced in the first group. They are good enough to be European champions.We do seem to have a bit of a mental block when it comes to playing away in Europe and we have to get over that.
“My players have the character and determination to achieve something in Europe. This is the chance for them to show I’m right not to be worried by our recent record.
“We are not lacking quality but there is a confidence problem at the back. We are being punished for every technical mistake we make. We just need to get through one game without losing concentration and we will be on the way.”
Will he play Van Bronckhorst?
I would think so.I figure he rested him at Spurs so he would be fresh for this game. If the manager is not going to play Van Bronckhorst against Spurs OR Deportivo, why is he at the club?
I’m looking forward to this one because I love Spanish football. I think I know what Deportivo can do. And Real Madrid. And Celta Vigo.
But I have to admit that Barcelona shocked me last night.
Barca’s superstars were applauded off the field by the Anfield crowd after a thrilling 3-1 win which avenged a UEFA Cup defeat six months ago.
Deportivo will be looking for similar revenge tonight.
Irureta and Hitzfeld are the cleverest tacticians in the Champions League, so Bayern and Deportivo should meet sometime next year.
21 November 2001.