Kluivert's view from the sidelines

Our UEFA Cup diarist, FC Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert, is facing the prospect of watching his side's tie against Brøndby IF on Thursday from the sidelines. However, he will be cheering his team-mates all the way in Denmark.

By Patrick Kluivert

Barcelona travel to Brøndby for the first leg of our third round UEFA Cup tie on Thursday, but for me it's a race against time for me to be fit and it's unlikely I will win that race. I injured my left knee in the Copa del Rey against Real Zaragoza three weeks ago. Sometimes you just have to give an injury time to heal.

Back on form
It was very frustrating for me to pick up the injury when I did. I had been going through a difficult period at the Camp Nou, indeed at the beginning of the season I was getting whistled by some of the Barcelona crowd. But in the five games before my injury I had scored five goals and I believed I was beginning to play the way I know I am capable of playing.

Future prospects
At least it was pleasing in my absence to see the team do so well. Considering that players such as Ronaldinho, Phillip Cocu and Javier Saviola have also been missing at times, we can be satisfied with our progress. Five league victories in a row have seen us climb up the table into that fourth Champions League spot and from there we have something to build on.

Too long
But the UEFA Cup is our last chance of silverware this season and this is what we all want, and what the fans deserve. It is five years since we won a trophy and that is too long for a club of Barcelona's stature. A club like ours should be challenging for these sorts of honours every season, and I hope this year will be our turn to win it.

Extra motivation
From a personal point of view, I am desperate to win the UEFA Cup because it is a competition that I have never won in my career. I have won league titles with AFC Ajax and Barcelona and the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup with Ajax, but I've never lifted the UEFA Cup and that is something I want to put right. We made it to the semi-finals in 2001 when we lost to Liverpool FC and I have bad memories of that, because I gave away the penalty that led to us going out. All this is extra motivation for me.

Danish test
But before we can dream about lifting the trophy, we have to get past Brøndby. I admit I do not know much about their individual players, but they will undoubtedly be a very good side. If they are through to the third round of the competition then they must be. We are probably favourites to beat them over the two legs, but that does not mean we will underestimate the Danish side.

Second leg
It doesn't make too much difference whether you play at home or away first, but with the first leg being away, we will know exactly what we have to achieve when Brøndby visit the Camp Nou. The fans can make for an intimidating atmosphere, and if the tie is close then that will work in our favour. Perhaps I will not be fit for the first leg, but I am sure that come the second leg I will be fit and raring to go.

Patrick Kluivert's personal website is at www.icons.com