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05.03.2007 21:48
Laporta: "The pressure is on Liverpool"
FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta believes that the Liverpool will have the pressure on them and the Blaugrana can go out and put on a show ahead of the Champions League encounter at Anfield on Tuesday evening.
Speaking to Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat, Laporta stated that "the pressure is on Liverpool" in the game and that he was sure that the Catalan outfit will go out "without feeling any pressure and will put on a great performance". The Barça supremo is also relishing the atmosphere "that can be created in English stadium and Anfield is a magnificent arena".
High spirits
"Spirits are high and we are really looking forward it," he continued. "We have every faith in our own ability and truly believe that we can come from behind and go through to the next round." That was the way that Laporta summed up the feeling inside the Barça camp after the squad travelled to England on Monday. The president added that Liverpool "are the ones that have to prove that they can win in front of their own fans."
On the field
Looking ahead to how Barcelona will approach the game, Laporta stated: "We have to brave and be intelligent. I hope to see an ambitious team, which remains calm and plays football." He did not want to make any predictions about the system that will be used, however, only saying that "we have a coach that knows perfectly what must happen and the coaching staff will all decide the tactics.
Only one thought
FC Barcelona have nothing else on their minds now. The knockout encounter against Liverpool is all-consuming and even Laporta is not prepared to focus on anything other than the game at Anfield. "All everyone is thinking about is winning the game moving into the next round and we really hope that it will be us doing that."
"The team has a good record and has every chance in the league and is also in the semi-finals of the Copa Del Rey," Laporta added, to highlight the strong season that the club is currently enjoying.
Soriano speaks out
Barça vice president, Ferrán Soriano, made a presentation at the University Management School of
Liverpool. It is the only univsersity that offers students the cahnce to take a Masters in
management of companies within the football industry (MBA Football Industries).
It was here that Soriano explained the econonmic revolution that has taken place at Barça in the past few years and has seen the club rise from 13th to second in the list of clubs with the highest incomes. Under the title 'The soccer industry and the case of Barça 2003-07', Soriano revealed the success that the current management have achieved, which has seen the income rise from €123m in 2002-03 to €259m in the last accounts.
"Barça can become a worldwide brand", the vice president stated and because of that, it is necessary "to keep growing and to continue creating initiatives, like the one with Unicef". If everything goes to plan then Soriano is confident that "we are on the path" to Barça becoming a global name.
It was here that Soriano explained the econonmic revolution that has taken place at Barça in the past few years and has seen the club rise from 13th to second in the list of clubs with the highest incomes. Under the title 'The soccer industry and the case of Barça 2003-07', Soriano revealed the success that the current management have achieved, which has seen the income rise from €123m in 2002-03 to €259m in the last accounts.
"Barça can become a worldwide brand", the vice president stated and because of that, it is necessary "to keep growing and to continue creating initiatives, like the one with Unicef". If everything goes to plan then Soriano is confident that "we are on the path" to Barça becoming a global name.
