Manchester United defender Chris Smalling believes that tactics are always important when it comes to derbies, but once the players take to the pitch it is emotions that matter.
The Red Devils are scheduled to take on arch-rivals Liverpool in the Europa League Round of 16 on Thursday with the first leg scheduled to be played at Anfield while the return leg will be played on 17th March at Old Trafford.
Smalling, who has just returned to the first team fold post an injury layoff, feels that the atmosphere in such matches is often frantic for the first 20 minutes.
However, taking the atmosphere into account it is important for the players to get the better of their opponent no matter which player they are confronted with, he feels.
Sitting beside manager Louis van Gaal at the pre-match press conference earlier today, the 26-year-old said: "I think, quite often, the first 20 minutes can be quite frantic.
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"But you want to get the upper hand on your opponent, whoever you’re playing against. For me, for example, it’s the striker. Very early on, you want to get an early challenge in and make sure you dominate.
"These are games the players look forward to and it’s one I’m certainly looking forward to playing in."
Smalling also took time to speak about the importance of emotions which he believes will be important in leading them to a victory against Liverpool.
"It’s good that the manager sees it from a tactical viewpoint and we work on the training pitch before the game on our tactics so we don’t get caught up in the occasion.
"But when you cross over that white line, I think the emotion can drive you on and hopefully bring out a better performance."
