Barcelona’s Victor Valdes has sympathised with his Arsenal counterpart Jens Lehmann after the German’s red card during the Champions League final undermined the Gunners’ bid for European glory.
Lehmann was sent off in Paris after just 18 minutes for hauling down Samuel Eto’o and, although the Gunners fought back valiantly and even took the lead through Sol Campbell’s header, they were eventually beaten by late goals from Eto’o and Juliano Belletti.
“It’s a big blow for any player to be sent off in a Champions League final and especially early on,” said Valdes.
“I know Lehmann must be feeling very low at the moment but this is football and sometimes it’s a cruel game.
“I don’t know whether he touched Eto’o or not because from my position it was very difficult to see, but the referee thought so.
“As a goalkeeper, you have to take risks even though at times you may make mistakes.”
Valdes was adamant Lehmann’s sending-off should not detract from what has been a fine season for the former Borussia Dortmund keeper, who will go to the World Cup as Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper.
“Lehmann is a very good goalkeeper,” added Valdes.
“I have seen his performances this season and he has played at a great level.
“I’m sure he will continue to show his worth in the World Cup.”
Valdes made several fine saves, most notably from Thierry Henry, to pave the way for his side’s 2-1 victory.
“I am very happy with my performance,” Valdes said.
“I knew that I had to be at my best if we wanted to beat a very good side like Arsenal.
“It’s difficult to play against Henry because he really is a very dangerous player.
“He can surprise you at any time and it’s difficult to know where he is going to send the ball.
“He is a great finisher and I believe that we have been fortunate.  “In the end, faith has carried us forward.”
Barca skipper Carles Puyol was full of praise for Valdes, who has had to endure some criticism this season following some high-profile mistakes.
Puyol said: “Victor is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and we are very happy to have him with us.
“Many times he is unfairly treated but I think he has proved in this game that he is one of the world’s finest.”
Puyol also heaped praise on coach Frank Rijkaard after the Catalan giants the European crown to add to their Primera Liga title.
“Rijkaard is a great manager and we are very fortunate to have him with us,” Puyol said.
“He doesn’t speak much but he certainly gets his message across and has very clear ideas.
“Before the game he told us that it wasn’t going to be easy to beat Arsenal and he was right.
“Arsenal have proved what a great defensive team they are and it has been difficult.
“Rijkaard also told us that having worked so hard to get to the final, we should enjoy the moment, give everything that we had and show what we are capable of doing.”
Unlike many coaches in Europe, Rijkaard prefers to shun the spotlight, leaving the attention to his players.
But after last night’s game, Rijkaard gave a rare display of emotion by hugging every member of his squad.
“It was a special moment for him and for us,” said the Barca skipper.
“He always gives the same treatment to every player and he deserves all the recognition.
“Rijkaard always prefers to stay in the background. Personally, I don’t like that because he has played a big role in this achievement, just as much as the rest of us.
“I wish he could join us and celebrate with us but that is his character and we have to respect it.”

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard admitted his goalkeeper, Victor Valdes, was the difference between the two teams after last night's Champions League victory over Arsenal's.  "I do not want to forget Victor Valdés, who, for me, was an important player and saved some clear chances," said Rijkaard.

"With the leveller we gained confidence. It was important, but not decisive. It gave us strength because we took a long time to create chances for us and could not find goal. But we were rewarded by the way we attacked in the final 20 minutes.

"I must thank all the employees, the squad and the directors. They have behaved very well throughout the year. Above everything we must thank all the players."

Valdes said of his superb display: "I was no better than my teammates. The game happened as it did because with the sending off of the goalkeeper and the 0-1 we had to leave more space.

"And we already knew that Arsenal was very dangerous with the counterattack. The faith in ourselves was what helped us overcome and made this victory possible."

BARCELONA goalkeeper Victor Valdes is ready to shine as he prepares to take on Arsenal's Thierry Henry in tonight's Champions League final in Paris.

Valdes, who was last season's top goalkeeper in the Primera Liga, knows the mighty task that awaits him at the Stade de France against the Gunners but

"I am always very positive.

I believe I will stop all the shots.

"Henry is an unpredictable finisher, he is fast, precise and cold, he is a little bit like Ronaldo.

"But I'm a goalkeeper who likes to risk. In order to make things happen you need to risk even though you may make mistakes."

The 24-year-old knows he must play the game of his life against Arsenal as his team will find it difficult to beat Jens Lehmann.

The Arsenal keeper has already broken a goalkeeping record this season for the most minutes in European football without conceding: 12 hours, 25 minutes.

"I have seen his performances this season and he has played at a great level," said Valdes.

 he said:

Barcelona and Spain goalkeeper Víctor Valdés  is the subject of much debate currently in the Catalan press. His latest error against Osasuna on Saturday has opened him to criticism of his mentality, with radio stations holding open debates on whether he should be replaced.

Frank Rijkaard has leapt to the defence of his number one. "Valdés is the best goalkeeper that we could have. The goal of Barcelona is well covered with him. I have no doubt about that".

Statistically Valdés is the best in La Liga: he has conceded only 25 goals in 27 league games, and this featuring in a predominantly attacking line up. However, he has made mistakes before this season, the most needless and high-profile coming against Valencia in the Mestalla stadium - that loss gave Valencia a route back into the title race.

The players have also backed their team mate. Thiago Motta pointed out that he had also won the team many matches. "He has had great games and has saved us many times. We all make errors&helliphe is a great goalkeeper and we need him".

Valencia goalkeeper Santiago Cañizares meanwhile has put himself back in the frame for Spain's world cup squad after saving Ronaldo's last minute penalty for Real Madrid on Saturday, which kept his team in the hunt for the Spanish title. Other than Valdés, Antonio Palop of Seville and Ricardo of Osasuna are contenders to play reserve to first choice Iker Casillas in Germany.

Despite the scoreline, Rijkaard admits his team were grateful to Valdes for a series of saves to keep Betis out: "I believe that Betis played very well, very organized and also tried to attack and to do damage.

"But I saw my players display a good attitude, as they always must show. They worked hard for this victory, that is important for us.

"We won 5-1, but as for the game, Betis also had its chances and played well. Really, we had to suffer to win. We counted on a great Víctor Valdés at several moments.

"It is important to have the class to score goals and a goalkeeper to stop them.

"In order to win at Chelsea, we cannot commit any errors."

Víctor Valdés Arribas (born January 12, 1982 in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain), nicknamed Victor, is a Spanish football goalkeeper, who currently plays for FC Barcelona of the Spanish La Liga.

He started his career with FC Barcelona in 1992, in the club's secondary teams, before being promoted to the best FC Barcelona team, playing in La Liga. He only played a few matches in 2002-03 season, due the appearance of Roberto Bonano.

In the 2003-04 season, he became the first-choice goalkeeper (and has remained so since then), and in the 2004-05 season, he played in almost all of Barcelona's matches. He is a product of Barcelona's youth system.