There are no small teams in the last eight of the European Cup and Victor Valdes knows that it really makes no difference who Barca are drawn against on Friday: “any team we play in the quarter finals will be tough. I’ve always said that if you want to win the Champions League you have to play against the best teams. That’s why I have no particular preference - I just want to get through and play the next opponents”.

Abidal will come through

The squad were clearly deeply affected by the news of Eric Abidal’s tumour, but the attitude that the French defender showed when he spoke to the players on Wednesday has also lifted them. Valdés explained: “he’s the one who is clearest that he’s going to get through this. It was big blow for us all but seeing him so optimistic has convinced us all that he’ll get over it”.

Valdés believes that their teammate’s problem could actually help the team’s motivation: “I don’t think it will affect us badly, as his optimism has lifted us all. We are motivated to offer all our success from now to the end of the season to him, though the biggest win will be the one he gets over this thing”.

Dismissive of drug slur

Víctor Valdés also dismissed the unfounded allegations surrounding doping at the Club: “the team is really on the margin of all this controversy. People can think what they like, but nobody can doubt that this team reflects values that go beyond the merely sporting”.

“Every game is like a final now”

Barça and Real Madrid go into the final stages of La Liga knowing that any slip up could prove vital and Valdés stressed that every game from here on in is really important: “both of us have tough games ahead. We play Getafe on Saturday and it will be a hard game against a team who play football really well. Every game will be like a final now for us and for all the other teams with something to play for”.