Iniesta: "We have to play our game"

Barcelona player Andrés Iniesta gave an interview to the club's official media.





There are two matches left to round off all the good work already done.
We're at that time of the season when decisive matches come along. If we win on Saturday, the league title would be very close. Not losing is an important step towards it. And on Wednesday we have a place in the final at stake. The team is confident.

First there's the challenge in the Bernabéu.
We will go to the Bernabéu for a win. If there's one aspect that has characterized Barça this season it's that wherever we play we always keep the same style: attacking, looking to win the match and playing attractive and efficient football. We’ll go to win the match because a victory there will clear the path to the title.

What's the key to the match against Real Madrid?
The key is to keep on being ourselves and try and do things well. These matches are different from all the rest. Everyone's hanging on them, emotions are heightened. A match of these characteristics is different because of everything that surrounds it, the way people experience it.

Would a win on Saturday be an injection of morale ahead of the match in London?
What's clear is that a victory would help us to focus on Wednesday's match against Chelsea, a match that's life or death for us.

Is Barça the favourite on Saturday?
There are no favourites. It's very difficult. There have already been cases where the team that is worse going into the match ends up winning it. It's such a different match that statistics and form don't count.

How will the absence of Márquez in Madrid and London and Puyol in London affect the team?
The injury to Rafa Márquez is really important to us because the truth is he was having a sensational season. Rafa brings a lot of things to the team. It's a shame, I hope he recovers quickly. As for Puyol it's a pity but we have to overcome the situation and give confidence to the team-mate who replaces him and who I'm sure will do a good job.

You said earlier that Barça only knows how to play to win. Why?
We believe that playing well is the best way to achieve good results. Football is for enjoying and having a good time. Our fans wouldn't forgive us if we played the way Chelsea did last Tuesday, with all the respect in the world. We will maintain our philosophy to the end. Win or lose we won't change our ideas.

Did Chelsea get the result they wanted last Tuesday?
A goalless draw in the Camp Nou may be an important result for Chelsea because they didn't concede a goal but it could be a dangerous result because I'm confident we will get our chances to score at Stamford Bridge. We'll be brave and we know that if we score one or more goals we will have a good chance. As at all English stadiums, the fans will support their team throughout the 90 minutes and that's difficult for the visitors. But we're 90 minutes away from a final and we have to go there with the confidence that we can qualify for Rome. We have to play our game, keep possession and take our chances.

read the complete interview here


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