Интервью с Яри Литманеном от 15 августа 2009 года. На английском языке, но думаю понятно без перевода. Если все-таки нужен перевод-переведу.
Jari Litmanen is a player who comes from Finland and spent years from 1999-2001 as a player of Barca.
What kind of memories spring to your mind when you think of your time in Barca?
I loved to be a player of Barca. It’s a great club and it allowed me to play alongside great players. However, things were not only rosy, as I spent majority of the time on the bench or sidelined due to injuries. I couldn’t demonstrate my worth and when a new president came I had to go.
Do you keep a close eye on Barca?
Of course I do. I follow all the teams I’ve played for and of course Barca is one of them. I’m very content to see the brilliant work that Pep Guardiola is doing. And now my ex-teammate from Ajax, Zlatan, reinforced the team. Then there are Puyol and Xavi who are playing superbly… Valdes who was still very young but very promising during my epoch in Barca. All this gives me a great satisfaction.
Do you have any contacts with any of your ex-teammates from Barca?
I’ve visited Barca only once since my departure, but I met some of the players later on when they moved to other clubs. I will take advantage of the first opportunity to visit Barcelona, both the city and the club.
Did you expect Pep Guardiola to have so much success in his debut season as the coach of the first team?
Yes, of course. Pep was as a player one of the best in the history of this club. He won everything that there was possible to win. He knows the culture of the club, the culture of people. He knows everything about Barca and people there admire him. He had a lot of support from the start and he demonstrated his qualities as the coach and the results were very good, it couldn’t have been better. He has some very good players in the team, but that surely doesn’t make things easy.
Do you think it’s plausible to expect another treble?
I hope that the team maintains the good form, but I know it’s almost impossible because to play better than last year will be very difficult. But I wish all the best to the team and the club. You never know what might happen in the future and I wish them all the best.
You played alongside with Ibrahimovic during the years 2002-2004 in Ajax. How do you see him in Barca?
Zlatan has all the predispositions for success. He was great in Ajax, Juventus, Inter and all other teams that he has played for. Also for the Swedish national team. I have no doubts about his personality and his capacities as a player. I played with him for two years and I know him well. He is a great signing for Barca, with distinct characteristics from Eto’o’s, but certain virtues he has make him a very good striker.
Ibrahimovic said during the presentation that he can score more than 25 goals this season. Is it possible?
Of course. Barca plays the most offensive football in Europe. With the players it has everything is possible.
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