FCBARCELONA.CAT

18.04.2009 23:22

Iniesta: “Phenomenal first half performance”

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Andres Iniesta was suitably upbeat after the win in Getafe, stressing the quality of play Barca showed, especially in the first half.

The midfielder also told reporters after the game: “this was a really important win, it was an important game and we confirmed ourselves as league leaders. We are all keen to maintain this level of play, continue winning and keep our opponents at a distance in the table”. Iniesta came in for some special attention from the Getafe defenders, but he quipped: “the eight fouls I suffered don’t hurt so bad when you end up winning. The ref did make some decisions which went against us though. I thought we put in a phenomenal first half performance, especially when you consider how hard it is to play away from home. We feel we are doing everything right at the moment and we are on the right track, but we know we have to keep on fighting till the title’s won”.

Rafa Márquez:

“We looked very solid at the back – we’re very happy about another clean sheet”.

“We have to continue playing like this and, even if we have to suffer a bit, we have to keep on winning. The whole team is working hard to make sure our opponents don’t get near our goal”.

“We had plenty of chances tonight, but we were a bit unlucky not to put them away. That said, we are all happy with the effort we put in – this was always going to be a tough ground to visit”.

Gerard Piqué:

“Each game is a game less to be played - there’re seven matches left and each win is a step towards the title”.

“Our aim was to control the game and take the three points”.

Messi:

“Winning and taking the points is all that matters – that’s what we needed. This was a tough ground to come and win at. We made loads of chances and we continue to play our style of football wherever we go. We’re all aware that we have to pressure our rivals all over the pitch when they have the ball and then keep it ourselves when we win it back”.

“We’re all ok. We know that we’re in the final straight and there’s tough games coming up”.

“I spoke to Mario after the game and he agrees that it was a penalty in the first half when he brought me down”.