FCBARCELONA.CAT

26.03.2010 13:58

Manzano: "The pressure is on Barça"

Miquel Agut/David Puig

Gregorio Manzano is relishing the prospect of pitting his high-flying Real Mallorca team against FC Barceona this weekend and explains how he thinks the home team can win in the Ono Estadi.

Speaking to Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat the Balearic Islanders’ coach looked at how both sides have been doing this season and heaped praise on Lionel Messi.

How do you think Barça have been doing this season?

“I think that they have been very consistent, independent of any injuries they may have suffered. Barça have played on two important fronts with the league and the Champions League and one must remember a fact that not many people think of and that is that every team wants to stop Barça from playing their way. I do not think that there is a team that will surpass what Barça have done and they are still the same great side that dazzled us last season.”

Who is playing for more in the game, Mallorca or Barça?

“I want to analyse that in the context of when the game is. The three points are not the same as the ones available in games one to 29. In this case Barça are playing for the title and wherever they go they will give their opponents an added stimulus. Barça have all the pressure now that we have achieved our initial objectives and we are now focused on earning ourselves a place in Europe.”

How can you beat Barça?

“We have to be cool and not let Barça play,. It is that we take decisions on the field that will maintain the balance. We also have to stop Barça from going ahead and breaking away. We want to score first and make Barça have to comeback. We should also be conscious that even if we do everything well we could still lose against one of the best teams in history.”

What will be the keys to success for Mallorca?

“There is great cohesion in the squad on a personal level. From a sporting point of view there is an unbeatable spirit. We have overcome difficulties behind the scenes and an economic crisis at the club and the players know they have to focus on sporting matters only.”

How would you define the phenomenon that is Lionel Messi?

“Messi should be valued from two angles: Human and sporting. When everyone idolizes you they put you on a pedestal and he responds with great modesty and that is important for a player of his ability.”

Sportingly Messi has been growing over the past few years to become the player has done the most in the shortest possible time. He has not reach his best, but he has a long way to go at his age and with his talent and I hope that he goes on to even greater things because he deserves it.”