FCBARCELONA.CAT

28.07.2008 14:15

Iniesta is happy with new system

Berta Brau

After six days with the squad, Andrés Iniesta says that “the way we are working is different and hard but I like it, and if we go on in the same vein the results will come.”

Iniesta joined up with the first team last Wednesday and has been getting up to speed. “It’s hard at first, but I’m gradually getting more into it,” he says. “I hope to be ready to play in the qualifying matches which are vital for the rest of the season.”

O ld hands have more responsibility

“Time goes by, things get harder and you get more responsibility,” said the midfielder. “But I find responsibility motivates me.” One thing he might take on is the role of one of the team’s captains now that Ronaldinho has gone, and he feels ready for it. “I’m always ready for anything,” he said. “Being captain is very important and to be honest I’d love it.”

Discipline or self-management

Over recent years the Barça team was encouraged to manage itself by Frank Rijkaard, but this has now given way to strict discipline which is “necessary” in Andrés Iniesta’s view. “When things don’t go well you need discipline,” he argued. “This change will be good for the team and if we go on in the same way the results will be very good.”

However, Iniesta denied that the squad is ruled by “the culture of strength” as each player has their own abilities and works as well and as hard as they can. “The new system is different and tough, but I like it,” he added

Chats with Guardiola

Iniesta says he has spoken with Guardiola though they have yet to talk about where he will play: “I’ve only been here for a few days and we’ve just had the usual preseason chats. He knows I feel happiest in the middle but that I can also play on the left.” He thinks that now it is time for Guardiola to use all the knowledge he has picked up over his career.

About Eto'o

Iniesta was full of praise for Samuel Eto'o as “the best player in the world in his position or at least one of the three best”, and said that he always wanted to be able to count on the Cameroonian as “a friend, colleague and footballer”.

And about Messi

“Selfishly I want him to stay with us” said Iniesta talking about Leo Messi. Although the club is insistent that the Argentine play in the qualifying matches, Iniesta denied that there is one Barça with Messi and one without: “It’s important that he’s with us as he creates chances, but the most important thing is having a good unit, a good squad, because that wins titles”.