Benfica coach Ronald Koeman has accused Champions League opponents Barcelona of being over-confident ahead of the sides’ meeting on Tuesday night.
Barca midfielder Deco dismised Benfica’s chances and claimed the Spanish league leaders would have few problems in seeing off the Lisbon team.
The remarks appeared to have upset Koeman.
“They have an excess of confidence,” he eclared. “They think they’ve already won or are going to win everything this season, but they forget that there are other strong teams in the Champions League and in Spain.
“They’re going to have to fight and play well, because you don’t win titles with talk!
“If they are so much better than us then they will have to show it on the pitch, and they shouldn’t think it’s going to be easy.”
Koeman believes that Barca’s recent league form has given his side confidence that they can pull off a shock win.
“Barcelona’s latest results in the championship give us confidence that it’s possible to win,” he continued.
“They weren’t able to beat Osasuna or Malaga.
“I saw the match against Getafe in person, and there were moments when they dominated, but there were also others in which we or any other opponents can cause them damage.”
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