FCBARCELONA.CAT

20.04.2008 13:08

Iniesta: “We can make it to the final”

David Puig

Andrés Iniesta believes Barça can knock out Manchester United and make it to the final in Moscow. Even so, he believes they need to change their mindset, and return to the strength and effectiveness they have shown in the Champions League.

With the league looking a little more out of reach after the nil-nil draw with Espanyol, Iniesta has called for everyone to focus on the Champions League, and on Wednesday’s match against Manchester United. During a post-training press conference given this Sunday, the blaugrana mid-fielder expressed his optimism that Barça can make it to the final in Moscow on May 21st: “It’s very important for us to get to the final, and we have 180 minutes ahead of us to do so. We can do it, but we need to change our mindset for the two legs, and we can’t afford to give anything away”.

A different Barça in the Champions League

Their progress in the top European club tournament shows a Barça different to their erratic performance in the league, which means that Barça can rise to the occasion when they face a great European team. According to Iniesta: “The Champions League is another story. A good example is that after a terrible game in Seville against Betis, we were able to beat Shalke 04 in Germany”.

One of the European greats

Iniesta had nothing but praise for Manchester United, whom he believes are on top form at the moment: “They have some great players who can shake up a game at any moment. I’m worried about them as a team, but not about any player in particular. They are a great side, and we’ll have to be focussed, but I think they’ll also be worried about us”.