Saviola looks to save Monaco

By Matthew Spiro

AS Monaco FC striker Javier Saviola is urging his team-mates to show their fighting qualities against Liverpool FC in tonight's crucial UEFA Champions League Group A encounter at the Stade Louis II.

Home victories
The Argentinian international, who joined Monaco on a season's loan from FC Barcelona, was suspended for the opening match at Anfield, which Liverpool won 2-0, but returns on Tuesday hoping to inspire the French side to a third home victory of the season in the Champions League.

Individual goal
Saviola has struggled to find form in Ligue 1 this season but has enjoyed more success in Europe, scoring two goals in three starts including a superb individual effort against Olympiacos CFP. The 22-year-old told uefa.com: "I love the Champions League and one of the main reasons I joined Monaco was to play in this competition. I was disappointed to have missed out at Anfield because they're the kind of games that make a season."

'Physically powerful'
The former CA River Plate star watched the Anfield defeat on television and was impressed by the physical side of Liverpool's game. "We lost 2-0 but it could've been worse," he admitted. "I know the [Liverpool] manager Rafael Benítez from his time at Valencia [CF] and you can see he's building another team that is tough to play against. Football-wise I don't think there was a lot between us but Liverpool were so fit and so physically powerful that we couldn't impose our game."

'Fighting spirit'
After suffering a second Group A defeat at Olympiacos, Monaco have little margin for error in their final two matches against Liverpool and away to RC Deportivo La Coruña. They have six points from four matches, one fewer than Olympiacos and Liverpool, and Saviola said: "Realistically we have to beat Liverpool to keep our chances alive. We'll need to show great determination and fighting spirit but I'm sure we can do it."

Garcia warning
One player looking to stop Monaco in their tracks is Saviola's former Barcelona team-mate Luis García. With Djibril Cissé and Milan Baroš missing, the Spanish playmaker is likely to be thrust into a more advanced role, and Saviola warned: "He's a very clever player and is always capable of grabbing a goal. His movement and speed are his biggest assets and we'll have to watch him very carefully."

Back to Barça
Unlike Garcia, who has signed a permanent deal with Liverpool, Saviola still has hopes of returning to Barcelona next season. He said: "Things tend to change very rapidly at Barça. Last year there were lots of Dutch players, now there are a lot of Brazilians. My biggest wish is that one day I will return to Barcelona."

'Pressure to win'
For the moment, however, he is content at Monaco. "I've been very well received here and I'm very happy. The football is challenging because, like at Barça, there is a pressure to win every game, even if my day-to-day life is calmer."

Morientes comparison
While the comparisons with Fernando Morientes, who enjoyed great success at Monaco last season, have died down, Saviola is still aiming to follow in the Spanish striker's footsteps. "At first everyone expected me to start where Morientes had left off, but now they've seen that we're completely different players. The one thing we have in common is that we both came here hoping to prove ourselves in France and in Europe," added Saviola. A third Champions League goal tonight would represent a significant step towards doing that.