FCBARCELONA.CAT

07.01.2008 14:33

Márquez: “Sevilla are back to what they were”

Berta Brau

The Mexican defender has started the year brilliantly with a goal against Mallorca and is gradually regaining his importance in the team: “I’m trying to reach my best level in order to find a place in the starting eleven”.

Barça’s next match is against Sevilla in the last 16 of the Cup. The Andalus club seems to have recovered from a shaky start to the season and, speaking at Monday’s post-training press conference, Rafa Márquez admitted that he would have preferred an easier opponent: “Sevilla is a very strong rival and recently they’re playing great. We would have preferred another opponent at this stage of the competition but we have to go all out to win and qualify”.

Win and win

Rafa Márquez denied that the team has abandoned its style of play in order to get results: “You play one way or another depending on different factors. Perhaps we didn’t dominate in Mallorca but that was due to the state of the pitch. We have a style of play and we want to maintain it. We have to play and the objective is to win and win”.

The loss of Touré Yaya

The departure of the Ivory Coast international to prepare for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations will force Frank Rijkaard to reshuffle his midfield. Rafa Márquez is one of the candidates to replace Touré but he carefully sidestepped reporters’ questions on the issue today, saying:”The decision is down to the coach”. He’ll face competition from José Edmílson, who has recently returned from injury: “Touré is physically very strong and brings a lot of solidity and stability. Edmílson has to get his fitness back but he has the qualities to play the linking role”.

Samuel Eto'o will join up with Cameroon next week and reporters asked Márquez to assess his decision: “All of us that know him know that he always does everything he can to make things work and the people in charge in his country let him take this kind of decision”.

The main rival

Asked about Real Madrid’s performances and situation, Márquez assured reporters: “It’s no surprise what’s happening. The same thing happened last season. What we have to do is win our matches and hope that they slip up”. He also spoke about Iker Casillas, who he considers one of the best goalkeepers in the world, as well as highlighting the forward line led by Ruud Van Nistelrooy.