Next Game

Union Berlin v Celtic

Friday, 12 July 2013, 19:00

Friendly Match

Artur focused on task at hand

Benfica goalkeeper Artur is only concerned with getting a result against Barcelona, and will not be looking at Spartak Moscow to do them a favour at Celtic Park.

Last Updated: 05/12/12 at 16:41 Post Comment   

Artur: Knows the magnitude of what is at stake, but maintains his side can do th

Artur: Knows the magnitude of what is at stake, but maintains his side can do th

The Portuguese side's destiny is in their own hands in Wednesday's decisive final Group G fixtures.

Benfica must match or better Celtic's result against Spartak Moscow to go through to the knockout stages for the second season in a row.

However this will be no easy task, as Barcelona await at Camp Nou, and despite the fact they are expected to field a weakened side, Benfica will certainly be up against it.

Brazilian shot-stopper Artur knows the task his side face, but cannot be concerned by how events unfold in Glasgow.

"Benfica is prepared to defeat Barcelona," he said

"Perhaps for me this is the match most important in my sporting life. Many eyes are viewing and Benfica needs the total effort to win in the Nou Camp.

"We are not preoccupied by the Celtic match. Only we are focused in our battle against Barcelona."

Javier Mascherano, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro Rodriguez have all been rested, with several youth players included in the match squad, but Artur believes whatever side the Catalans put out will be a strong one.

"Any player Barca has quality and a level to generate danger for us. In this respect we are not confident. The match will be intense," he added.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

W

hat's a Bebe??

godsaveourkeane
Bebe seeking Sporting switch

B

e afraid...be very afraid.

dalglishdagger
Kinnear: I'll make Magpies better

S

ome people just don't suit hats.

big dave
Rio targets something special

Footer 365

Hearts face points deduction

Hearts are likely to start the next Scottish Premier League season with a 15-point deduction should they go into administration as intended.

Joe Kinnear wants Newcastle to sign a striker to help Alan Pardew

Joe Kinnear has revealed he will target signing a new striker after his shock return to Newcastle United.

Dave Whelan has promised any revenue from player sales to Owen Coyle

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan says any cash generated by player sales this summer will be made available to Owen Coyle.

Mail Box

Well, This Isn't A Very Good Mailbox

No disrespect & all that to those included, but come on people, you can do better than this. Are you all sleeping? Is there really nothing you want to talk about? Please?

BAU At Newcastle United Clown College...

Newcastle fans aren't happy about Joe Kinnear's appointment as the club's new director of football. Plus, more chocolate football and a love letter to Fernando Redondo...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved