FCBARCELONA.CAT

22.03.2007 14:33

“We have to reach the return leg in a good position”

Barca’s Director of Football analysed today’s draw for the semifinals of the Spanish Cup for the programme “Zona Mixta” of Barca TV and highlighted Getafe’s excellent record in the competition this season.

Speaking on the Barca TV programme “Zona Mixta”, Txiki Begiristain expressed his satisfaction at avoiding Sevilla but warned against the danger posed by Getafe, saying: “We have to play well in the first leg in the Nou Camp but above all it’s important to reach the return leg in a good position”.

Glad to avoid Sevilla but...

“We’ve drawn Getafe. In theory, the league table says that we and Sevilla are the strongest sides. I prefer to play the Andaluses in the final”. However, Txiki stressed that Getafe have had an excellent run in the Cup: “They’ve eliminated teams such as Osasuna and Valencia and we have to be careful because they’ve done very well away from home”.

First leg at home

The first leg of the semifinal tie will be held in the Nou Camp on 18th April. Bearing in mind what happened against Zaragoza in the quarterfinals, Txiki said: “We have to play intelligently. The need to win the tie mustn’t confuse us – we have to be serious”.

The importance of the return leg

Txiki also stressed the importance of the return leg in the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez on 9th May and underlined his determination to go all the way in the competiton: “It’ll be vital to reach [the return leg] in good form. I want to be in the final. I love that build-up to the big duel accompanied by the massive movement of the fans”.

La Lliga, the first objective

Before the semifinal tie, FC Barcelona have some equally important league matches and, having re-established their lead at the top of the table thanks to the win in Huelva, Txiki Begiristain is convinced Barca can make it three league titles in a row: “It was a convincing victory that should re-launch us in the final phase of the season, just when we can see the real possibility of winning the third title in a row”.

As for the opponents over the remaining matches of the season, he revealed: “We make it seem easy against our opponents if we maintain our intensity and effectiveness at the back”. In general, he’s satisfied with the state of the team and stressed: “We have to be optimistic. Our opponents are closer than in previous seasons but we’re in a good position to manage it”.