Football: Hans: It will make my day if I can put Barthez on the spot

MADCAP keeper Hans Jorg Butt claims Manchester United will pay the penalty if they under-estimate Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

Butt is more than a match for his eccentric counterpart Fabien Barthez, and if United's jittery defence happens to concede an untimely spot-kick the giant German keeper will take immense pleasure converting it.

Butt has already made a telling contribution to Leverkusen's European campaign with a penalty that helped dump Italian giants Juventus out of the competition.

But Butt has assured himself of unprecedented glory in the event that United present him with an opportunity to get on the scoresheet in their semi-final showdown at Old Trafford.

"We have some exceptional penalty takers at Leverkusen but I've made it clear to the lads that, confidence being the key to a successful spot-kick, I should be the one to face Barthez in that event," said Butt.

Like Barthez, Butt is something of a frustrated outfield player who admits the glory of goalscoring outweighs any great save.

"I was reading something about Barthez. Didn't he try to get Manchester United to let him play up front or something?

"I too like the idea of scoring goals. Up to the age of 16 I was an outfield player but then the coaches felt I had greater potential as a goalkeeper. When they tried to fob me off with the role to get rid of me I played like a man possessed.

"I think the experience has helped me though. Of course there are times when I have a rush of blood and consider racing up the other end and putting the ball in the net.

"I've played those computer games when the keeper has a mind of his own and takes on all challengers. But I always lose the ball and the opposition score."

Madness appears to sit quite easy with Butt, who has threatened to tear up the other end if Barthez strays upfield in the final minutes of the game.

"If he comes anywhere near the goal I'll lose it and if I get the ball he better run for his life because I'll stick it in the back of his net for having the cheek to come upfield." Joking aside, Butt expects a torrid time in front of goal with United likely to take the offensive route to glory.

"People go on about David Beckham and Roy Keane missing but they have some exceptional players in that team.

"And they will lay siege on our goal, I expect that. It won't be a game that sits well with those of a nervous disposition. You can put your house on it, there will be plenty of goals in the two games.

"It's a shame in a way that Beckham won't be playing because he is a player I admire very much.

"Having said that, I know I will sleep easy because he's not in their side.

"We've come a long way in this competition and we are not about to throw it all away. We respect United but we're not afraid to take them on.

"If they think we will sit and defend, they should think again. Although we have a sound defence we're pretty much an attack-minded side.

"And it's not as if United's record against German teams is that good. I think they have managed to score just one goal in four encounters with German teams in home ties of the Champions League.

"We're not troubled going there. The pressure is firmly on them because if we hold them to a draw or lose by the odd goal, I'd fancy us to knock them out at home."

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THE ROAD TO THE SEMI-FINAL

MAN UNITED

FIRST GROUP STAGE

Sept 18, 2001 Man Utd 1 Lille 0

Sept 25, 2001 Deportivo La Coruna 2 Man Utd 1

Oct 10, 2001 Olympiakos 0 Man Utd 2

Oct 17, 2001 Man Utd 2 Deportivo La Coruna 3

Oct 23, 2001 Man Utd 3 Olympiakos 0

Oct 31, 2001 Lille 1 Man Utd 1

Nov 20, 2001 Bayern Munich 1 Man Utd 1

SECOND GROUP STAGE

Dec 5, 2001 Man Utd 3 Boavista 0

Feb 20, 2002 Nantes 1 Man Utd 1

Feb 26, 2002 Man Utd 5 Nantes 1

Mar 13, 2002 Man Utd 0 Bayern Munich 0

Apr 2, 2002 Deportivo La Coruna 0 Man Utd 2

QUARTER-FINALS

Apr 2, Deportivo la Coruna 0 Man Utd 2

Apr 10, 2002 Man Utd 3 Deportivo La Coruna 2BAYER LEVERKUSEN

THIRD QUALIFYING ROUND

Aug 8, 2001 Red Star Belgrade 0 Bayer Leverkusen 0

Aug 21, 2001 Bayer Leverkusen 3 Red Star Belgrade 0

FIRST GROUP STAGE

Sept 18, 2001 Lyon 0 Bayer Leverkusen 1

Sept 25, 2001 Bayer Leverkusen 2 Barcelona 1

Oct 10, 2001 Bayer Leverkusen 2 Fenerbahce 1

Oct 17, 2001 Barcelona 1 Bayer Leverkusen 2

Oct 23, 2001 Fenerbahce 1 Bayer Leverkusen 2

Oct 31, 2001 Bayer Leverkusen 2 Lyon 4

SECOND GROUP STAGE

Nov 29, 2001 Juventus 4 Bayer Leverkusen 0

Dec 4, 2001 Bayer Leverkusen 3 Deportivo La Coruna 0

Feb 19, 2002 Bayer Leverkusen 1 Arsenal 1

Feb 27, 2002 Arsenal 4 Bayer Leverkusen 1

Mar 12, 2002 Bayer Leverkusen 3 Juventus 1

Mar 20, 2002 Deportivo La Coruna 1 Bayer Leverkusen 3

QUARTER-FINALS

Apr 3, 2002 Liverpool 1 Bayer Leverkusen 0

Apr 9, 2002 Bayer Leverkusen 4 Liverpool 2

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