Even though a draw in Lyon would see them through to the next round, Puyol reckons the team are determined to take maximum points and claim top spot in the group: “we’ll be going out for a win, we never play for just a draw”, he told reporters.
Top spot key
The win would ensure Barca finish top of the group and Puyol explained
why this was so important: “it gives you home advantage in the knock out stage – we get
to play the return leg at the Nou Camp. That’s an important advantage, though coming top
doesn’t guarantee an easy tie in the next round by any means”.
Lyon improving
Puyol believes that Lyon have got over their “inconsistent” start to the season
to hit good form again and Barca will face: “ a fine, compact team who play good
football” on Tuesday night.
Chance to build team spirit
Finally the captain laid down the law on Edmilson’s recent declarations about
“black sheep” in the squad, insisting that “ these things have to be sorted out
in the changing room and between ourselves”, whilst claiming that the incident must be turned
to the team’s advantage: “the dialogue we’ve had in the squad since the
statements were made will now bring us all even closer together”.
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Respectful of boardroom decisions
Puyol was also quizzed about the recent changes in the club’s boardroom and he was adamant
that he respected the board’s decisions, whilst denying any relation between the changes and
Edmilson’s declarations: “the President has insisted that one thing is in no way
connected to the other”.