FCBARCELONA.CAT

29.11.2009 23:15

Puyol: "The most difficult match of the season"

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The Barça captain produced a great performance and demonstrated that he and Gerard Piqué make a great partnership in the centre of the Barça defence. The Madrid strikers came up against a solid defence even after the sending off of Busquets.

Carles Puyol admitted that Real Madrid, “a great team”, had forced Barça “to work really hard”. However, he believes Barça reacted well: “As always we had possession and tried to hurt them up front. Madrid pressed hard and played well”. Although Puyol stressed the team performance he singled out Valdés – “he was fantastic” - and the author of the evening’s single goal for praise: “ "Ibrahimovic is one of the best in the world and when he came on in the second half he was vital”.

A great week

After a difficult week, Puyol summed up the team’s performances: “You can’t always win and play well but we’re clear about what we have to do. We have our own playing style and philosophy”. He also referred to Barça’s main rivals for the league title; Real Madrid, Sevilla and Valencia. “We have to go our own way – we weren’t a disaster a few days ago or the best now”.

Here are some of the players’ comments after the match:

Busquets

"The sending off has left a bitter sweet sensation but the important thing is the team and now we have to focus on Jerez”.

"The move when I was sent off I touched the ball without meaning to but these things happen. I didn’t think the ball was there and I didn’t have time to think. I saw the end on the TV and it was nerve-racking”.

"These matches are always difficult and are decided by small details. We went for the match and dominated possession”.

"I try and help the team. The three points were the important thing and we got them. Games like this one are difficult to play because it was a direct rival. Real Madrid, Sevilla and Valencia will battle it out with us to the end”.

"We knew that Real Madrid are really dangerous and have some very important players. They played their game but now we are top again. The important thing is that we are still leading at the end of the season”.

Xavi

"It was a very physical match. They played well. Perhaps we didn’t produce a very attractive performance but we played well in defence and tactically. We’re happy with the three points”.

"We started more tensely than usual but we improved in the second half”.

"They also had their chances. It was a complicated and difficult match but we’re in the lead again. Let’s see if we can hang on until the finish but it won’t be easy because Real Madrid, Sevilla and Valencia will be there”.
"I don’t agree with Pellegrini. We controlled the match despite playing with ten men. We had possession and we had chances. They had their chances too though they may not have expected so many”.

Valdés

"Real Madrid played well but so did we and we got a good result. I ‘d highlight the team performance”.

"After the red card they pressed hard and it was difficult to defend. They had some dangerous counterattacks”.

"Puyol had a great game. I congratulate him. Once again he’s given 100%”.

"I was lucky about Cristiano’s shot".

"People know the risks we take at the back and they let me know their support”.

"I take advantage of the presence of Ibrahimovic. He provides a good target for long passes. That’s another resource”.

Piqué

"It’s a great feeling. We’ve suffered and we’re back on top. Now we’ll gain in confidence”.

"It’s really difficult to defend with ten men. Everyone said we would win easily but they’re a great team. We did a good job in defence and they couldn’t score in spite of their individual talent and good football”.

"Pep is right. The three points against Jerez are just as important as the three against Real Madrid”.

Messi

"I’m pretty tired but it was worth it".

"The decision to play was taken together with the doctors and the manager”.

"Real Madrid have some great players and it was difficult. We rushed thing a bit at the beginning and then had to play with ten men”.

"It’s a shame about that move at the end of the match. Iker guessed my intentions and I couldn’t score. But the main thing is the three points”.