of the moment the Uruguay international snubbed
him during their racial abuse feud
Juventus defender Patrice Evra says he will shake
hands with Barcelona’s Luis Suarez in Saturday’s
Champions League final.
The two were embroiled in a race row during their
time in England when Suarez was found guilty of
racially abusing the then Manchester United
defender during a clash with Liverpool at Anfield.
Suarez was handed a ban but, upon his return,
caused more controversy by snubbing Evra in the
pre-match handshakes.
“I will shake his hand – I am a professional,” the
Frenchman told Sky Sports .
“Like I’ve said many times, I’m proud of my colour
and it doesn’t matter. I’m playing against
Barcelona, I’m not playing just against Luis
Suarez.
“Every player in the team, they will feel me,
because I will play a really important game.”
Evra also revealed his surprise at the workload
expected of players in Italy, insisting he has never
felt better.
“It was a shock at the beginning because, to be
fair, I did not expect the way Juventus Football
Club were working," the 34-year-old added. "They
work really hard.
“I think the training sessions are more difficult
than the game. In pre-season I remember the
manager [Massimiliano] Allegri always asking me
‘Pat, are you OK’ – I was always saying ‘for the
moment I’m still alive’. And it was true, because it
was difficult. I’d never worked so hard in my life.
“It’s a great experience because, even for my age
now, I feel like I’m more powerful than when I was
younger. I qualify myself like a bottle of wine – the
more I get older, the more it tastes sweet!”
Both Juventus and Barcelona are on the hunt for a
treble after both earned domestic league-and-cup
doubles.
No comments:
Post a Comment