FCBARCELONA.CAT

07.03.2008 14:15

Zambrotta wants to win for Messi

Roger Bogunyà

Gianluca Zambrotta has said the team has to win on Sunday “for Messi”. The Italian commented that missing the Argentinian “is a shame because he is a very important player for the team”.

The Barça right back believes the team needs to stay strong in all three competitions and enjoy playing, among other games, the final in Moscow. But Zambrotta also says the absence of Messi “is a shame for football fans because he makes such a difference”.

Big game on Sunday

Asked about Sunday’s game with Villarreal, Gianluca Zambrotta said “it is a very important game” for their title aspirations, with Villarreal, third in the league, being “a team that is among the frontrunners like us and that is doing a perfect job”.

Bad luck at Calderón

But the Italian was despondent to remember the heavy defeat at Atlético Madrid. “We had back luck, especially in the first two goals, and it was not our day” said Zambrotta, adding that against Celtic they just had to make sure of going through.

What’s up with Madrid

Speaking about Real Madrid, he said “it is not normal for them to go out of Europe in the second round” but that his Roman compatriots deserved to qualify after beating Madrid home and away.