EMMANUEL EMENIKE: Playing Against MESSI Is An Honour

Interviewed by championat.com on Sunday, Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike has talked about his brace against Rostov in the ninth round of matches in the RPL and the recent Champions League clash against Spain's powerhouse Barcelona.

Emmanuel, was it difficult for you to  tune in to the match with a Rostov after you've played with "Barcelona?

Emenike: ''Actually, we did not win against Barcelona. If the team won the match in Spain, I will agree, it was possible today ( Sunday. ed) and talked about the lack of motivation. So, we knew that the game with Rostov- is the most important match of the championship, and we had no lack of motivation . Maybe you have the impression that we were lacking motivation because of the first minutes of the game, because we failed. But gradually joined the team in the game and got the necessary results.''

Goals in the league have been hard for you, but today you have  â��â��scored twice. Further goes on the thumb?

Emenike: ''Really, it's all weighed on me. I want to score in every match, but the previous games have been problems with implementation. Well, today I scored twice! I hope the fight with Rostov will be a starting point, and then I'll score goals more often. Yet the most important thing - it is not that Emenike scored , but the victory of Spartak Moscow.''

Your competitors, "Zenith" and "Terek", on the eve of your game lost points. Spartak Moscow seemed particularly attuned to today's match?

Emenike: ''Of course, a good thing when our competitors lose points, but the red and white should be in the first place to monitor their performance.  We need to win as often as possible, for the place on which the team is in the standings to date, it is not ours. Spartak must be much higher, but we need to always win.''

Rostov in today's game did not deliver. No problem for Spartak and you overcame them very easily.

Emenike: ''It may seem like an easy victory from the stands, but the field was different. Rostov - a serious contender. ''

Last question: A few days ago you spent 90 minutes on the same field with Lionel Messi. In such an environment to learn something from the Argentine footballer? 

Emenike: ''(Laughs) Of course, playing against the best player in the world is an honor. I respect Messi as a player, but do not understand how in such circumstances can learn something from a football player who plays against you.'


(Source: championat.com)

Photo Credit: Official website Spartak Moscow