FCBARCELONA.CAT

20.08.2008 13:09

“We’re strong to begin the league”

David Puig

Eric Abidal told reporters today that the team is ready to start the league campaign. He also highlighted a good pre-season and the support the players have received from the fans.

The team is strong and has the right mentality to ensure a good start to the season. Speaking after training on Wednesday morning, Eric Abidal was upbeat in his comments on the current state of the team. Ahead of the second leg of the Champions League qualifier against Wisla, the French fullback is positive about the prospects for the coming league season: “We’ve played some good matches before the opening league game. In the last one against Boca, we won in the last minute and showed that we have a winning mentality. I believe we’re strong to start the league”.

New priorities

Bearing in mind the philosophy that Josep Guardiola wants to implant, Abidal knows that he has to intensify his defensive work, something he’s quite confident about. With Henry more focussed on attack and with the constant attacking runs of Alves up the right wing, Abidal is clear about his priorities: “Henry defended a lot last year but this year his fundamental work will be to score goals. Alves also has a job to do. He gets up into attack a lot but I less so. The only important thing is for the team to attack and defend well”.

3-4-3

Abidal was not surprised when Guardiola set out a three-man defence in the second half of the match against Boca Juniors:” With a three-man defence, a further player was added to attack in order to turn the match around. I like playing in central defence and I don’t mind playing in a 3-4-3 system”.

The importance of the fans

Abidal is not worried that the fans have high hopes for the season as a result of some good performances during the summer. He believes that the role of the fans is very important for the team: “When you’re out there on the pitch it’s important for the team to feel that you have the support of the fans and that they’re asking you to play well. We’re starting a new season with a new manager and new coaches. We only have to work a little harder than last year because with the good players we have we can do well”.