Puyol (2): "Tamudo doesn't need much"

In an interview with Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona central defender and captain Carles Puyol (30) talked about the team and the club.





How do you feel ahead of the derby against Espanyol?
I have a good feeling about it. We're working very hard and everybody is motivated. The problem lately is that we start the games well but that we let the opponent come back too easily. We have to get better in that aspect and be stronger there. We have to finish the games. It's normal that the other team tries to look for the equalizer but it should be our objective to keep the same level of intensity so this doesn't happen anymore.

How should one play against Espanyol?
We have to play our own game. We should control the ball and be agressive, both in defense and in attack. A derby is different from other games and it's a fact that Espanyol caused us difficulties over the last years. Winning the three points is crucial to keep the confidence growing but also to give the first big joy to the fans, who will hopefully fully back us again. They will if we again start winning matches.

Tamudo didn't take part in the match before the derby, just like you. We're getting old or what?
We're certainly getting older. In his case, I don't know why he didn't play. In my case, the coach made a decision and I accept that.

Tamudo is one of the players who has given you most troubles?
Yes, he's one of them. It's a good player. Everytime he has the ball, he can be dangerous. You have to be concentrated the whole game because he doesn't need much to get you in troubles.

You know that this could be the last derby in the Montjuïc stadium (Espanyol is expected to move to their new stadium next year)?
I didn't think of that. I know their new stadium is almost ready but in general I'm not thinking about that kind of things.


This was the second part of this interview. You can read the first part here. The two last parts will follow in the coming days with Puyol talking, amongst other things, about the qualities and the character of Piqué and the Rijkaard era.