Menegazzo explains Riise attack

Fernando Menegazzo has told skysports.com why he head-butted John Arne Riise.

Bordeaux star Fernando Menegazzo has told skysports.com why he head-butted John Arne Riise during his side's 3-0 UEFA Champions League defeat to Liverpool at Anfield last month.

The Brazilian received a red card during the game after he lost his cool in a confrontation with the Norwegian, and, while he claims he had never intended to make contact, he wants to avoid any such behaviour in the future.

"I suffered too much pressure against Liverpool, that is why I head-butted him," he said.

"I didn't want to attack him. We have had a discussion and I just wanted to intimidate him with a head-to-head, but he moved at the last moment so it became a blow.

"I have been sent off because there was blood, so people have been shocked.

"In the future, I will try to remain more lucid and try to contain my envy."

As a result of the incident, he is still suspended from European competition, but he remains upbeat after his side overcame Galatasaray to book their place in the Uefa Cup.

"I was sure we would perform well against Galatasaray because we were so motivated," he said.

"We deserved to reach the Uefa Cup more than them because we had a good state of mind and gained a nice victory.

"There are big teams in this competition, and I am sure the experience we have earned in our first Champions League campaign will help us. We can win it.

"Our recent problems, against Auxerre for example, have been caused by our lack of patience in the final area.

"When we missed all our opportunities, we were not free. We suffered too much pressure, which prevented us from remaining calm.

"Bordeaux have to stay lucid and to score first in order to be more self-confident.

"We have played against Liverpool and PSV, and we could have done better. We haven't been daring enough because we have so many young players."

Menegazzo also defended former France international Johan Micoud, who rejoined the club from Werder Bremen this season.

"Micoud isn't a flop. Jo is a great playmaker.

"He is starting to play well and we are starting to understand his game. But when he is man-marked, it is very difficult to give him the ball.

"Galatasaray were always very close to him, which is why he didn't get much of the ball."

Meanwhile, Bordeaux midfielder Juan-Pablo Francia has declared his frustration at being forced to remain on the bench despite the poor form of Micoud.

Francia would like to play in Spain, and a loan spell is thought to be in the offing.

"It is hard to live like this," he told Sud-Ouest.

"I expected to play less, but I didn't know I would be on the bench this much.

"I have to be realistic. If I want to play, I have to leave. Maybe I've lost self-confidence, I don't know.

"The club has agreed to loan me and, frankly, I don't see another solution. I want to start playing in Spain in January.

"My agent hopes to find me something, but it is not easy as I'm not getting any games.

"I am crossing my fingers."