Maxwell: "We can make a good start in the Super Cup"
Anna Segura
Maxwell believes that FC Barcelona will be full prepared when they take to the field in San Mamés for the first official game of the new term after having an impressive pre-season.
The Blaugrana face Athletic Club de Bilbao in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday and
the Brazilian full-back thinks that the club's time in England and the United States has meant that
they will be ready for the encounter. Maxwell is hopeful that he can help Pep Guardiola's side to
start the season with a trophy in only his first weeks since moving to Camp Nou from Inter to
provide Éric Abidal with competition on the left of the back four.
Preparing well
"We are having a very positive pre-season, very good indeed," he said in a press conference
on Wednesday. "With the spirit within the squad and the experience of the players we can make a
good start in the Super Cup.”
Adaptation
After joining Barça from Inter, Maxwell admits that things are even
better than he thought that they would be. "I was surprised by the organisation of the club and the
quality of the training," he continued. "What is also impressive is the speed with which the team
plays." He then compared the Spanish league that he is set to play in with Serie A. "They are
different leagues with different demands," he said. "Here the game is more about having possession
of the ball, the speed of play and the technique."
Main objective
"My main goal here is to maintain the balance on the pitch," he stated. "For me the defensive
side of things is very important and the offensive part is more intuitive and about creativity. But
the coach will decide who plays. The two of us are part of the squad and the most important things
is to be ready when the team needs us."
Return of Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic trained with the squad for the entire session for the
first time on Wednesday and Maxwell was pleased to see him back. "He is doing what he does best and
little-by-little he will rediscover his best form," he explained.
"He is very strong and with Ibrahimovic's quality he will improve the team and raise the
level of play. There will be a lot of pressure on him, but he has the quality to do great things."
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Support for Jarque’s family
Maxwell spoke about the sudden death of Espanyol captain Dani Jarque and offered the bereaved
family his support. It is a very sad loss because he was a fellow professional," he said. "The
family needs complete support now at this difficult time, but everyone must stay together and
together we can move forward."