Fuente: © Liverpool F.C.
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/

LIVERPOOL FC: WHAT'S IN A NAME: EMILIANO INSUA

Every home match Liverpool FC's official matchday programme ponders the question: 'What does a player's name say about their personality?'

/noticias.info/ It offers a quirky insight into life on and off the pitch with a whole host of random questions that inspire answers you won't find in your average football interview.

Here Emiliano Insua tells us who he is tipping for Euro 2008 success, why Jay Spearing is the hot-shot of the reserve team and who his favourite Latin lady is!

E EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS OR COPA AMERICA?

It's got to be the Copa. Obviously I'm from South America and if things go well in my career I might get to play in that competition one day. Winning it would be a dream come true.

WHO'LL TRIUMPH AT EURO 2008?

Not England obviously! (Laughs) Italy, or maybe Spain. There are a lot of Spaniards here at Liverpool, they've got a great squad and have been performing really well in recent months. But, as we all know, they have looked in good shape in the past only to stumble at the final hurdle. Maybe that won't happen this time.

Spain, Garcia, Alonso

M MUSIC
WHO DECIDES WHAT SONGS ARE PLAYED IN THE DRESSING ROOM BEFORE A RESERVE GAME?

Everyone takes turns choosing different tracks on the Ipod. It's generally English music, usually upbeat and high tempo. It tends to be rap or maybe hip-hop, something lively.

WHO'S TASTE IS SO POOR THAT THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED ANYWHERE NEAR THE IPOD?

I won't name any names but if someone puts on a particularly bad song it's usually changed pretty quickly. Any awful choices don't last long.

I INTELLIGENCE
WHO'S THE SMARTEST MEMBER OF THE RESERVE SQUAD?

I don't know about general knowledge but Mikel San Jose is an expert on football, or likes to think he is anyway. He sounds off and we have to listen. Sometimes he's right, sometimes he&'s wrong. But, no matter what, he just keeps talking.

L LATIN LADIES
WHO'S YOUR FAVOURITE SOUTH AMERICAN GIRL?

I've got a girlfriend so I can't really answer that! Let's say Shakira is a really good singer so I like her.

I INTERPRETER
WHO ACTED AS YOURS WHEN YOU FIRST ARRIVED HERE?

In training sessions Rafa Benitez and fitness coach Antonio Gomez helped me out. On a day-to-day basis my brother was here with me for the first few months and his English is really good so that made life easier. Now I'm able to speak the language so it's not so much of a problem.

A AGGRESSION
IS IT FAIR TO SAY ARGENTINIANS HAVE AN EDGE TO THEIR GAME?

Insua v Shanghai RotterdamYeah, I think that's true. We have a very determined way of approaching football and go into every tackle as if it's the last one we'll ever make. We really live for the game and give our all. It's total commitment and we absolutely hate losing. It's the way we are brought up; football in Argentina is viewed in a different way to most other countries. Both the players and the fans have that special feeling for it, an intensity I suppose you'd call it, and that shows when we take to the field.

HAS THAT INTENSITY HELPED YOU ADAPT TO FOOTBALL IN ENGLAND?

It's definitely made it easier for me. If you can cope with the physical part of the game and improve as a player it can give you a chance of making it in this country.

N NATIONAL ANTHEM
CAN YOU SING THE ARGENTINIAN TUNE?

Yes. (Sings a few lines and then laughs) It's about a sacred cry of freedom for the mortal people. Unfortunately the tune is really long and before games it often has to be cut short. Obviously emotions run high when it's performed, particularly if it's an important match.

O OVAL-SHAPED BALL
HAS THE IMPRESSIVE PROGRESS OF THE ARGENTINE RUGBY UNION TEAM MADE
A BIG IMPACT BACK HOME?

There hadn't been huge attention focused on the Pumas until recently. Rugby is an amateur game in Argentina so everyone really appreciated the efforts of the players at last year's World Cup when they reached the semi-finals.

DID YOU WATCH ANY OF THEIR GAMES?

I never watch it. Although I enjoy the physical side of football I don't think I'd like rugby. It's a really tough sport but, to be honest, I'm not a fan.

I IDEAL INVITATION
IF YOU COULD GO TO ANY PARTY WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

If I was invited to the Ballon d'Or Awards as one of the nominees that would be pretty special. To win it would be even better although not many defenders ever get that honour. Or if Argentina won the World Cup I'm sure that party would be amazing, so either of those.

N NERVES
DO YOU SUFFER FROM THEM BEFORE GAMES?

No. Maybe when I was younger but not now. I think nerves only last for a few seconds as you come out onto the field and see the fans. As soon as the game starts they disappear pretty quickly. When I played for the first team against Portsmouth and Fulham last season I was more excited rather than nervous. It was positive energy and I couldn't wait for the matches to begin.

S SHOOTING
WHICH MEMBER OF THE RESERVE TEAM ALWAYS HITS THE TARGET?

That's easy, Jay Spearing. He's very accurate.

AND THE WORST?

Ronald Huth! Although he has scored a couple of times for the reserves when he smashed the ball into the net. I've only got one goal so far so I can't really criticise him too much. I do get plenty of chances but the goals never seem to come.

U U-20 WORLD CUP
WAS THAT TRIUMPH IN CANADA LAST YEAR THE FIRST MEDAL OF YOUR CAREER?

That was the first medal I've won as a professional. Hopefully I can add to it with the reserves this season.

Michael Owen, Argentina v England (World Cup 2002)


DO YOU THINK THE ARGENTINIAN U-20S CAN GO ON TO CLAIM MORE CROWNS?

It would be nice to think we can progress together and enjoy future success at senior level. But history shows that it doesn't always work out like that. I think Argentina have won that particular title on six occasions now, including Maradona's team in 1979, but it hasn't always produced a World Cup winning side.

ARGENTINA ARE ALSO THE CURRENT OLYMPIC FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS. IS THIS SUMMER'S TOURNAMENT IN BEIJING A TARGET FOR YOU?

Sergio Batista, who was a member of 1986 World Cup winning team, is the manager and hopefully he will pick me. But it's very hard to say. There was a preparation game against Guatemala recently and the squad is mainly under-23 players with a few more experienced guys such as Javier Mascherano. It would be great to be involved.

A AIRMILES
YOU MUST CLOCK UP QUITE A FEW FLYING HOME TO PLAY FOR ARGENTINA?

Definitely, loads and loads. I've been travelling around the world to play football for nearly 11 years now. I think the first trip I went on was to Italy and since then I've been to France, Austria, Spain, America and Canada. They're all long journeys but I don't mind because it's a chance to represent my country abroad. Or if it's a home game it's an opportunity to get back to Argentina for a few days. Most people like going home to see their friends and family and I'm no different. notas_de_prensa_archivo