SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-BBO-BAR BATE hope to avoid repeat of Barcelona defeat

Record ID: 136123

  • Title: SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-BBO-BAR BATE hope to avoid repeat of Barcelona defeat
  • Date: 19th October 2015
  • Summary: BORISOV ARENA, BELARUS (OCTOBER 19, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF BATE BORISOV PLAYERS TRAINING SOCCER BALLS ON PITCH PLAYERS RUNNING FC BATE BORISOV COACH ALEKSANDR YERMAKOVICH AND MIDFIELDER IGOR STASEVICH AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) FC BATE BORISOV MIDFIELDER IGOR STASEVICH, SAYING: "We will try to win, but the game will show the outcome. To promise something
  • Embargoed: 3rd November 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Belarus
  • Country: Belarus
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA5EG0O557S7QAIZPG5THBC518O
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: BATE Borisov are hoping to avoid a repeat of their loss to Barcelona ahead of their next Champions League group stage match.
    BATE lost 5-0 to their group E rivals in their encounter in 2012.
    "We will try to win, but the game will show the outcome. To promise something - you need to be 100 percent sure of what you promise, and it is hard to say that for the whole team, because Barcelona is a strong opponent, a team on a world level, therefore it is hard to promise anything," said BATE midfielder Igor Stasevich.
    BATE coach Alexandr Yermokovich said Barcelona were tough opponents.
    "It is very difficult to say now whether we can surprise or not, we know that Messi and Iniesta are outstanding footballers, and the team has top players. I cannot say they can fully replace these players but they are on a very high level. So we will try to do our best, but what comes out of it - we will see tomorrow," he said.
    In 2011 Barcelona prevailed 4-0 over BATE.
    "We think that BATE will play in defence more, putting attention on defending and will try and play the counter-attack but every game is a separate story and we will try and do all we can," said Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets.
    Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said the spirit of teams in the tournament is important.
    "Here we have no favourites, considering the level of the tournament. Here everyone can play with everyone and one can only hope on his own strength and devotion," he said.
    BATE managed to gain two points in group E with a 3-1 victory over Roma after losing their opening game 4-1 at Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
    Barcelona lead group E with four points.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register