FCBARCELONA.CAT

18.05.2007 14:51

“We need to be ready to take advantage of any slip-ups by Madrid”

Sergi Nogueras

Andrés Iniesta knows that Barça have to win all four of their remaining games in order to return to the leadership if and when Real Madrid drop points.

“If we win our last four games we’ll be champions. Our destiny is no longer in our own hands, but we need to be ready to take advantage of any slip-ups by Real Madrid.” Iniesta was ready to be self-critical, saying that “being in this situation means we haven’t done our job well. The reality has changed and now we really have to give it our very best, we have four finals ahead of us.”

Competition

But Barça and Real Madrid are not the only teams that still harbour hopes of winning the league title. Said Iniesta “we should not forget about Sevilla and Valencia. They will be watching us, even though they don’t only depend on what happens to us. Nobody thought we were going to draw with Betis. Now everybody has a chance and every game will tell its own story.”

Weekly work

The whole squad is looking forward to this weekend’s trip to an Atlético Madrid side that may be about to suffer from the wrath of a Barça squad that needs to clean its image. “Ever since the Betis game we can’t wait for Sunday to come around so we can start setting the record straight. The team has shown maximum interest in every training session. Even the training matches are intense and that’s good preparation for what’s coming on Sunday.”

Sunday’s opposition

The Atlético Madrid match is one of the most important of the season, and against a side Barcelona often struggle against. The ‘mattress-makers’ are solid all-round, especially in attack. “Atlético exploit the strengths of Fernando Torres, especially when he finds space. So, it is not just a game for the defenders, but one for everybody. But the important thing is that the team is in fine condition and ready to take the game.”

Iniesta sees very few weaknesses in the Atlético Madrid side. “A player that goes out onto the pitch always wants to win, to do things well. Nothing else matters, there is nothing more satisfying than winning” he said. “It is a difficult game, and we have the league to play for, so we are going have to go all out for the win from the very first minute.”