16.12.2008 18:04
Gudjohnsen: “Our only opponent is ourselves”
Jesús Carrillo
Icelander Eidur Gudjohnsen spoke to the media in the Camp Nou pressroom, and his message was clear: Barça’s only opposition right now is Barça themselves.
The former Chelsea man is clear about it. There was a lot of talk about this difficult run of
matches, and nobody could have hoped for things to work out quite so well. “But if we think
that just because we have done that that it means we’ll be champions, things will come to a
bad end” he said.
Messi and referees
Gudjohnsen did not criticise the Madrid players for the rough treatment Messi endured on
Saturday night, saying “it is the referee that has to protect us, not just Messi but all
footballers”.
The Icelander is also aware that the team’s work is anything but done despite the
excellent results. “I think all the teams behind us are possible rivals. From Madrid, the
reigning champion, through Sevilla and Valencia, who are just behind us. We are just thinking about
beating Villarreal, we aren’t thinking about anything else, nor are we thinking back to
Saturday. For the squad, the clásico is now history and it’s time to start looking
ahead”.
The best of Eidur
Since Guardiola arrived, we really seem to be seeing the best that
Gudjohnsen can offer. “It’s true. The last two years weren’t good either for me
or the team, but this year, fortunately, it’s a whole lot more positive. The only thing I can
say is that we have to keep on like this, working hard, with the same confidence we have shown up
until now and not to take it easy in training, and to maintain a winning mentality. As I’ve
said, Sunday is like another final. Things have gone well up to now, but we can’t start
slouching”.
European draw
As for the teams Barça could face in the Champions League, Gudjohnsen said “I have no
preferences as any of the four are good teams. More than worrying about the others, we have to
worry about ourselves, if we do that, it’ll be for the better.”