FCBARCELONA.CAT

04.01.2009 12:56

Valdés, with his mind on the Cup

Anna Segura

Having got over the first game of the year, the time has now come to start thinking about the Copa. Valdés spoke about the importance of the game with Atlético Madrid and the chance to win a tournament the club has missed out for too many years.

Although in the last Copa del Rey match against Benidorm it was José Manuel Pinto who played in goal, it is not yet clear who will be donning the gloves on Tuesday against Atlético Madrid. Víctor Valdés made it clear that “whoever plays they’ll be doing so eagerly and wanting to win this title”.

The stopper added that “we are taking the Cup very seriously, it is a tournament we haven’t won for many years”.

Hard game

In the last sixteen of the Copa del Rey, Barça will face Atlético Madrid. Valdés said that “over two legs it’s the little details that make the difference. They are a hard team to beat”. He also thinks Barça will find the trip to the Calderón very tough, but despite the difficulty is confident they can make it into the next round.

Iniesta, “the best in the world”

Now Andrés Iniesta is fit again , Víctor Valdés says “he is as good as the best players in the world. I am sure he will be one day”. The Barça keeper has been admiring his progress over the years and thinks “he has become the best”.

Sweet moment for Henry

Thierry Henry scored one of Barça’s three against Mallorca. Valdés also had words to say about this colleague, who he thinks “is on very good form, scoring important goals for the team and helping out in all aspects of the game … he is enjoying a sweet moment like all of the team are”.