Ivan Rakitic has called on his Barcelona team-mates to shut out Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, saying a clean sheet at home will be crucial to ensuring Barca progress.
The two sides meet at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night before the return at Anfield next Tuesday, and the Croatian international knows the importance of conceding an away goal after Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League on away goals by Roma last season.
“We are prepared and with an incredible desire to win.” said Rakitic, who is expected to start in midfield for the Liga champions. ”It will be very important to score and keep a clean sheet. We are confident and eager, the team is very switched on and now comes the most beautiful game.”
And his manager, Ernesto Valverde, reiterated the message as Barcelona try to win their first Champions League since 2015.
“Liverpool are a very powerful team, who play with a great level of pressure and rhythm,” said Valverde. “They’ll be a very difficult opponent to beat. Our intention is to win, but we know the value of stopping them from scoring. We have to play two good matches.”
