[GocartMozart]

Evra ready for vital matches

Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra says the next two games against Barcelona and Chelsea are the most important matches of the season.

With a place in the Champions League final at stake in the two-legged tie against Barca and with Chelsea effectively out of the Premier League race if they fail to beat United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, the battle for silverware is hotting up.

"Of course, if we make it to (the Champions League final in) Moscow that will be the most important but for now these are the vital ones," Evra told the Manchester Evening News.

"They are tough games. These next two matches are the most important two games of our season.

"Our team is always confident. We go to Barcelona in the same confident mood we go into all matches. We can enjoy our game over there in Spain.

"We have a tough game in Barcelona and then the chance to win the title at Chelsea.

"We must enjoy these games. There is pressure and we have to win but we must also enjoy these moments.

"It will be hard but we have the team to go and win. We are ready to go there and win. We have the destiny in our hands. We must be professional."
Evra ready for vital matches | Manchester Utd | English Premier League | Football News from TEAMtalk

I'm glad he realizes the importance, because he'll be the vital matchup against Barca. He has to shut down Messi and that is easier said than done.

The problem of course is him doing the job and not getting a yellow card snic ehe's already on one.

[funkdoctorspock]

Evra is more than capable of handling Messi. Evra can match Messi's pace, however he'll have to look out for Messi's dribbling and playing one-twos with the midfielders and forwards.

It will definitely be a big matchup, but I think the key matchups will be Yaya v Scholes and Carrick/Anderson v Iniesta/Xavi. Both teams will be looking to neutralize the distribution playmakers. United's "longball" game will be used a lil more in this match. I'm expecting Carrick to run riot.