SAMUEL Chukwueze is not daunted by the prospects of facing Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
After helping Villarreal knock out another big side Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, the Super Eagles star believes his team will be up for the challenge against the English giants.
Chukwueze scored the last-gasp goal in Munich that knocked out huge favourites Bayern 2-1 on aggregate, and he wants another big scalp in Villarreal’s collection.
“We know all about Liverpool and they are expected to win, so the pressure is on them,” Chukwueze told BBC Sport Africa as he previewed Wednesday’s semi-final first leg at Anfield.
Although Villarreal are in only their second ever semi-final in the competition while Liverpool have won it six times, Chukwueze insists the Spanish side will not be easy prey for the quadruple-chasing Reds.
He added: “We have a squad and manager good enough to compete against any team in the world. Because of the way Liverpool play some people have already made their own predictions but that is normal in football.
“We have a job to do and we are not going to Liverpool to lose. Why not aim for the best result over there? And that is what we hope to do.”
The 22-year-old Nigeria international recalls his heroic moment in Munich as he looks forward to another upset win for the Unai Emery-led UEFA Europa League holders.
“I came on as a late substitute and scored a winner that I will never forget in my life,” he noted.
“You honestly have no idea how much it meant to the players, the club, our fans and the city.
“Everything happened so fast. My teammates kept screaming ‘Samu!’ and I couldn’t process it that very moment. And honestly, I couldn’t hold myself. I looked across to our fans and once I saw them with tears of joy, I completely understood the impact of that goal.
“I hope to write more important chapters in my career with Villarreal. I have more games to play, and personal glory is not the target.”
Chukwueze, who overcame surgery to revive his young career, is willing to take his game to the next level in order to help his Villarreal ‘family’ thrive.
“Villarreal is just like a family to me,” he offered. “When someone sees potential in you, they will want you to grow more.
“My game has improved because of the surgery and the coach is doing an amazing job for me. I think what else is remaining is just to score goals, and Emery is doing a very nice job on finishing. Finishing is only thing that is remaining [to improve] in my football.”
