FCBARCELONA.CAT

02.05.2007 14:44

Thuram: “We are focused on winning”

Anna Segura

The French defender is confident that his team has what it takes to cope with its remaining matches. Neither does Thuram feel that the squad is suffering any major pressure from its rivals.

Speaking at a Wednesday press conference, Lillian Thuram has made it patently clear that he and his colleagues have every faith in their chances of retaining the league title and collecting the Copa del Rey as well.

No pressure

Thuram denied allegations that there is something missing in the team spirit this season, saying “I sense no pessimism. We want to win like any other team. The most important thing is that we are focused on winning the league”. Neither does the ongoing pressure from other teams bother him too much, as he illustrated by saying, “we are great players and we know how to deal with situations like this”.

He added that “the end of the season is going to be difficult because there are a number of teams that can win the league, but we are top right now.”

Team playing well

Thuram is not over-perturbed by some disappointing results on recent away trips. “In Villarreal we played very well at times and our last home game was a good one too. The important thing is for the team to play well and create chances”. Looking ahead, he added “the next game against Real Sociedad will be difficult”.

Thuram is aware that Barça fans do not look on a 1-0 win in the same light as fans at his former club, Juventus, for unlike in Italy “the football here is more offensive, and the philosophy about the way the game should be played is different. But I think it would be a poor show if we were to win 1-0 and not create goalscoring chances.”