FCBARCELONA.CAT

19.02.2009 14:19

Sergio Busquets, an expert on derbies

Anna Segura

Sergio Busquets, who has played in all three derbies so far this season, wants to make it four out of four on Saturday. Being a locally raised player, he knows “there is a nice rivalry and it always a pleasure to play in games like this”.

On Thursday, Sergio Busquets gave his first press conference since being promoted to the first team. But he already has experience of facing a packed pressroom after he was named, along with Gerard Piqué, for the Spanish national team. But he was on his own this time, as he faced the press’ questions at the Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper.

Saturday night

The 20 year old looked cool and collected in the presence of the many pressmen, and gave his opinions about the Barça v Espanyol game this weekend. “A derby means a lot” he said. “There is a nice rivalry between us and it always a pleasure to play in games like this, especially when you are from here”.

“Still three points”

The game brings together the leader and bottom placed club, but the crowd will be waiting to see a reaction after dropping two points last week away to Betis. Espanyol, meanwhile, have relegation staring them in the face. Sergio still thinks, however, that what really matters is “just getting the three points … this game is no more or less important than any other”.

Struggling but dangerous

Sergio Busquets knows Pochettino and his side “are very keen to get off from the bottom.” The sides have already met three times this season, and this he feels “gives them an advantage but gives us one too. We know each other a bit better”.

No relaxation

Sergio Busquets is not surprised that there is some excitement in Madrid after the gap was narrowed to ten points, but all the same “ten points is a considerable distance and we shouldn’t get obsessed with that.” But it has come as a warning that “although we are top of the league we shouldn’t start thinking we can afford to relax or underestimate other teams”.

Iniesta injured

On Wednesday, it was revealed that Andrés Iniesta will be out for a fortnight. Sergio Busquets says it is always a shame to lose players because “we are stronger when we are all together.” Losing Iniesta “weakens us a bit because he’s a great player but if Andrés doesn’t play, somebody else will, and he’ll do just as well”.