Juventus defender Patrice Evra has promised to shake Luis Suarez’s hand when his team meets Barcelona in the Champions League final.
Suarez was banned for eight games for racially abusing Evra while playing for Liverpool against Manchester United in October 2011, but the Frenchman insists any rivalry will be confined to the pitch.
“It doesn’t matter what happened because the most important thing is to be playing in the final,” Evra told reporters.
“I am proud to be what I am and proud of my colour, so I will shake his hand. It’s no problem.
“However, I’ll make sure he will feel me on the pitch.”
Juve reached the final in Berlin by disposing of Real Madrid 3-2 on aggregate but Evra maintains that facing Barcelona will be like David vs. Goliath.
“Of course we can beat them as they are human beings and people forget that Juventus have players who have already won the Champions League, who have played in other finals like myself.
“This will be my fifth final and you never know. I believe in everything because if I didn’t believe we can win against Barca I’d ask the boss not to play me.
“It’s going to be tough, like David vs. Goliath, yet anything can happen in football. This is where you will see the great character and personality of the Juventus players,” he declared.
