Luis Suarez will feel me during the Champions League final, says Patrice Evra
Juventus defender Patrice Evra has promised to shake Luis Suarez’s hand when he and his teammates take on Barcelona in the Champions League final in Berlin. While at Liverpool, Suarez was banned for eight games for racially abusing the former … Continue reading →

Juventus defender Patrice Evra has promised to shake Luis Suarez’s hand when he and his teammates take on Barcelona in the Champions League final in Berlin.

While at Liverpool, Suarez was banned for eight games for racially abusing the former Manchester United left-back in October 2011.

Following yesterday’s 1-1 draw against Real Madrid – which saw Juventus progress to the Champions League final in Berlin – Evra said he will have no issue shaking the Uruguayan’s hand before the contest.

However, the France international stressed that Suarez will feel his presence on the pitch.

“A lot of people ask me this question,” Evra said. “It doesn’t matter. The most important thing is that I play in the final, you know.

“I am proud to be what I am, I am proud about my color and I will shake his hand. It is no problem.

“However, I will make sure he will feel me on the pitch.”

Barcelona are currently Europe’s most in-form team and have already been made favorites to win their fifth European Cup by the bookmakers. But Evra is confident in his side’s chances against the Catalan club.

“Of course, of course… like I say they are human beings,” Evra explained.

“People forget on Juventus’ team a lot of players have already won the Champions League.

“They play as well in [other] finals, like myself, my fifth final. You never know. I believe in everything, because if I don’t believe we can win against Barcelona, I will ask the manager not to play me.”

The final in Berlin will be the second time Evra will line up across from Barcelona with Europe’s top prize on the line.

In 2011, Barcelona won their fourth European Cup by defeating Manchester United 3-1 at Wembley.

Evra believes Barcelona are still a huge threat. But the defender feels the dynamic of the team has changed since the time he faced the Catalan club in the Champions League final.

“Barcelona is still Barcelona,” Evra concluded. “I think against Manchester [United] they were more as a team, a very strong team.

“Now they have like three players in the front, Messi, Neymar and Suarez, that can make the difference.

“You can be strong like in the last five, ten minutes [against Madrid] but these players can score any time. You have to be ready.”