FCBARCELONA.CAT

29.05.2007 14:46

Valdés admits title race is difficult

Berta Brau

The first team keeper has told a Tuesday press conference that he is still expecting to win the league championship. “We are depending on other results” he said “but the other two teams have difficult matches”.

Valdés is relaxed about things right now. “We doing our job as well as we can” he said. He is one of 10 first team players that has not been called up for international duty and will therefore be in the Copa Catalunya squad to take on Nàstic on Thursday. Speaking about the game, Valdés said “I hope it all goes well and we don’t suffer any injuries. But these breaks in the league programme don’t benefit anybody because they interrupt our rhythm”.

Ronaldinho appeals

The club is seeking to appeal against the red card shown to Ronaldinho on Saturday night against Getafe, and Valdes hopes that they get what they are after. ”It is very important for him to be able to play for us. I hope he can,” he said, before going on to speak about the issue of the role referees can play in the outcome of matches, saying “referees do their jobs as well as they can and they can always make mistakes”.

Hard but noble football

Asked about Getafe’s no holds barred approach to last weekend’s game, Valdes said “football is getting tougher and tougher, and there is always going to be contact. I am in favour of tough football, as long as it is noble”. But he did go on to observe that “it is the more skilful players that tend to receive more fouls and they are the ones we need to protect”.

Victor Valdés did not want to speak about the rumours of incentive money being paid to Zaragoza, and merely commented that “all professionals have the moral obligation to go out and win”.