Former Dutch forward and legend Johan Cruyff says that his former club, Barcelona, will be keen to avoid Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-finals, but would not be too concerned if face with Arsenal. Johan Cruyff was the main man in Holland’s journey to the World Cup final in 1974 – but lost to the Germans 2-1.
Cruyff told El Periodico: “For sure, many of those who feared playing against Manchester [United] don’t want to face Liverpool from now on because of the way they demolished Madrid and then hammered United. They were two convincing and prestigious victories, but each was different. Against Madrid, Liverpool went on the pitch to attack and press them. Against Manchester, they went shoulder to shoulder and the game finally turned their way thanks to one incident: Vidic’s dismissal and the direct free-kick. Against Manchester United, Benitez felt comfortable with a more defensive team that was always together so that they could intercept the ball and play fast on the break.”
He then went on to add that he wouldn’t like to play Chelsea or Manchester United in the next round but wouldn’t mind playing Arsenal. The Dutch legend added “Playing against Manchester United, Liverpool or Chelsea won’t be easy, especially since Hiddink arrived. Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Villarreal and Porto are put in the ‘if we play them, we go through for sure’ box, but we should be careful of this idea in the dressing room, because no second-rate clubs are remaining.”
