May 6, 2009 CELADES: 'I'M READY' But Osorio will have the final say whether he starts or comes off the bench
Midfielder Albert Celades said he wants to play "a lot, alot because it is very difficult where I am right here with some problems." Photo by Albert Celades
By Michael Lewis
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor
Montclair, N.J. -- Red Bulls midfielder Albert Celades will play against the San Jose Earthquakes on Friday night.
Coach Juan Carlos Osorio doesn't know if he will start the veteran Spanish midfielder or have him come on as a second-half substitute.
"It is a chance that at some point we need to take," Osorio said after practice at Montclair State University on Tuesday. "How long do we play him for? At the moment, I would say he looks to me he can probably play half the game and hopefully, a little longer. With two more days of training, we hopefully we can then push the issue and then how much we can get from him."
Celades, who is recovering from a left hamstring strain, said that he is raring to go.
"I'm ready," he said.
For most of the season, the 33-year-old Celades has been a spectator, trying to overcome the injury or getting into match fitness.
Celades said he wants to play "a lot, a lot because it is very difficult where I am right here with some problems. I would like to help my team now."
He said it has been difficult watching the team not being able to do anything. The Red Bulls are 1-5-2. Celades has come off the bench twice -- in the scoreless draw at the Houston Dynamo and in Saturday night's 1-0 loss at the Los Angeles Galaxy, playing a total of 57 minutes.
"This is very difficult," he said. "I think this is the worst for the players when one is injured and can't do his work. It is very difficult. In the gym you run alone. I am not training with the group."
Team captain and striker Juan Pablo Angel said he is looking forward to working with the 5-10, 158-lb. Celades.
"Obviously, he has experience, tons of experience, which in anything is important, especially here in MLS,' he said. "He has a natural ability of moving and passing, holding the ball you basically don't learn. You are born with it. The years he played with all those big teams, I think he will help us a lot. We want him to be fit. We want him to be healthy because that is the only way we will get him to help us as we think he is going to do. "
As a former player for Barcelona (72 games over four seasons) and Real Madrid (56 matches over four seasons), he wouldn't reveal which team he rooted for in the former's 6-2 rout last weekend. In fact, he took a while to answer the question.
"Difficult question," he said with a smile and then a laugh.
He said his heart is with both teams.
"I have a lot of affection feelings for both teams," he said. "It was a big game for Barca because Barca was better and played very, very well. it was difficult for real Madrid and the players. difficult situation for them because real Madrid is a very good club, for a winner of some cups, for champions league or the league, champions of the league. I think Barca was better.”
But he is convinced Barcelona will defeat Chelsea in the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday.
"Why not? Why not?" he said. "It's a close game. Barca plays at a very high level and very competitive. I hope Barca can win."
