FCBARCELONA.CAT

21.12.2006 16:12

Puyol: "We have important challenges in 2007"

Following the draw against Athletico Madrid, Carles Puyol has stressed that there is still room for improvement. "We have important challenges in 2007".

The general feeling in Frank Rijkaard's team is that Barça were the better team on Thursday night. Everybody highlighted the team spirit was good and that every player fought hard and that an isolated attack from Athletico had resulted in the visitors drawing level. Despite the loss in the World Clubs, the Barça first team has had an exceptional 2006. "We have important challenges in 2007, we are alive in all competitions and we have the desire to win", said the Barça captain.

Below are the reactions of some of the players from Thursday night's game:

Carles Puyol:

"It's a shame to have lost two important points".
"The team played well and gave everything. It was an isolated attack which resulted in the Athletico goal".
"We had chances to get another goal but we were unable to convert them."
"It's been a good year for us, despite the loss in Japan".
"We have important challenges in 2007, we're alive in all competitions and we have the desire to win".

Deco:

"Barça were the better team".
"Athletico played a counter-attacking game."
"We played to win, however, we were unable to get the victory we were looking for".
"We kept looking for the winner until the final whistle".
"At times during the second half it was clear that we were a little tired from Japan. We're now second in the league with a game in hand".
"The refs are complicated here. Three minutes of time added on were too few; taking into account the time lost in the game".

Andrés Iniesta:

"It's a shame to have lost two points".
"In the second half we seemed a little tired".
"The Christmas break will give us time to recharge the batteries".
"In the one occasion Athletico had, they scored".
"We played a good game".

Thiago Motta:

"Looking back, we had chances in the first half to store more goals".
"I think we deserved a little more from the game".
"We need to rest now in order to come back and achieve what we want to achieve in 2007".