FCBARCELONA.CAT

11.09.2008 11:50

Laporta: “We want the league to start again”

Roger Bogunyà

Joan Laporta expressed his confidence in the team and the manager two days before the league restarts, against Racing de Santander in the Camp Nou.

During the commemorative acts for the 11th of September, the Barça president explained that he sees “a very competitive squad”. “We want the league to start up again. We have a very excited manager who is capable of achieving the successes that we want”, he stated.

No doubts, despite the defeat in Soria

Asked about the consequences of the defeat at the hands of Numancia, Joan Laporta clarified that nothing has changed his confidence in the team. “The debut didn’t make me doubt”, he stated. He added: “This will make us more attentive”.

Messi, a key player

Barça’s president thinks that the Argentine striker Leo Messi will be one of the key players this season. “I’m convinced that he will be one of the authors of Barça’s success this year”, he said. Laporta explained that Barça’s number 10 has come back from China with high hopes.

A step forward with the international teams

A year ago, also on the Catalan ‘Diada’, Joan Laporta was very critical of the exodus of the international players. One year later, the president thinks that the situation has improved: The ECA, FIFA and UEFA came to an agreement in which it was decided that clubs would be compensated for their contribution to international team competitions. We worked hard for this to happen”.