FCBARCELONA.CAT

07.03.2007 12:00

“The League and Cup would be fantastic”

Despite elimination from the Champions League to Liverpool, Txiki Begiristain doesn’t want to make generalisations “until the season is over. If we win the two titles we have left to play for, that would make for a fantastic season."

Just before flying back to Barcelona from Manchester airport, Begiristain made it clear that it is too early to speak of how the season has gone for the team, especially as they are still in the fight for both the League and Cup. “For me, the word ‘failure’ can only be applied once the season is over” he said. “That’s when we will see where we are and how it has all ended. What we have won and what we have lost. If we win the two titles we have left to play for, we can say it has been another fantastic season”.

"A major disappointment"

But he has to admit that “it is a major disappointment to go out of the Champions League again. We went through this two years ago, so we know what it is all about. But I don’t like talking about failures”, he went on to praise the side managed so well by Rafa Benítez, saying “they are a difficult, strong, disciplined team, who play very physical football. They players work well together, they play great team football”.

Small details make the difference

Still talking about Liverpool, Begiristain said “they play to their style. The year they won the Champions league, they did something very similar in the semi finals against Chelsea. If they have gone through in the end, then it is because they deserved to, and because they scored twice at the Camp Nou. These are the small details that have gone on to decide the tie”.

Barça stick to their guns

Begiristain then turned to Frank Rijkaard’s side and the way they have continued to employ the same style. “It is because we have won so many games playing like that” he said. “And because we like playing like that and the fans do too. And because we won the League and Champions league playing that way”.