Former Manchester United and France defender Patrice Evra has issued a dire taunt to Barcelona fans hoping their team can make it past Atlético Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
In quotes collected by Diario SPORT, the outspoken former left-back says: “Listen, Barcelona fans need to wake up and face reality. I see all those ‘Remontada’ profile pictures everywhere; it’s time to show some humility and take them down. This isn’t the Barcelona of 2015; that team no longer exists. We’ve
seen them collapse time and again on the big stage, and, honestly, they aren’t capable of pulling it off again.”
Barça do have a mountain to climb as they trail Atlético 0-2 and will play the second match away from home tomorrow.
“In the Champions League, they’re more likely to pick up another red card than they are to win, lately, it’s become a habit. I have complete faith in Diego Simeone and his men. They are warriors; they are well-prepared and ready to put a stop to this,” Evra said.
The Blaugrana dominated the first leg until it was marred by a Pau Cubarsí red card.
“Barça fans, stay calm and keep quiet, because Europe is a different story… and you are no longer the kings. I love this sport, but I love the truth even more,” he asserted.
Evra won the Champions League playing for Manchester United but lost four finals. Curiously, three of those finals were against Barcelona: twice with United (in 2009 and 2011) and once more with Juventus (in 2015.)
