FCBARCELONA.CAT

25.04.2007 12:26

Txiki: "Frankly, it went well"

Txiki Begiristain highlighted the success of the friendly in Egypt and the strong performances from several young players as he headed back to Barcelona from Cairo after the victory over Al-Ahly.

The Blaugrana technical secretary enjoyed the 4-0 triumph against the African champions and stated that he was proud to have been part of special occasion for the host club. "Frankly, it has been good," he said. "Sometimes, teams in delicate situations go on a mini-training getaway. We are proud to be able to participate in the centenary of one of Africa's most important club, especially having seen the enthusiasm that they have for us there. I think the players also enjoyed themselves."

Bojan’s experience

One player in particular will have enjoyed the game as Barça B striker Bojan Krkic scored twice in the win and Begiristain admitted that he had been impressed by all the youngsters performance: "I should talk about all three of them. I thought (Jesús) Olmo did well, along with Krkic and (Giovanni) Dos Santos. All of them played very well. I must congratulate Bojan because it is not easy when you are 16 to score goals like that. He could have had even more and was very lively.

"He is a player who we wanted to look at and this game gave us the perfect opportunity for him to have contact with the first. He is only 16 and it is very important to introduce him gently and ensure that he keeps gaining more and more experience. We shall keep him calm so that he continues developing and continue to watch his progress."

Slowly, slowly

With Bojan proving to be another hot prospect from the club's youth ranks the media attention will be fierce, but Txiki was quick to remember that everyone should be tactful when building up the expectation surrounding such a young player. "He will be treated the same as all those that have come through," he continued. "Messi moved up three years ago and we have to take things slowly. These types of players progress over time. We need to introduce him to the first team little by little if he is to be successful. Everyone should remain calm. I expect that if there are more opportunities then he will play again. But need to take things easily."

Txiki then reflected n the progress of another player, Dos Santos, who has been widely tipped to be a success when he steps up to the highest level: "There is not such a great rush to move him up quickly," he explained. "He has had a year more at this level and has more experience with the first team. But we have to create space before any of the players can move up."

Final push

Now the league swings back into focus and FC Barcelona must now start to prepare for the visit of Levante on Sunday when three more points are needed to remain on top: "We have maintain our leadership," Txiki said. "At home we are strong. In Villarreal we created chances and lacked a little bit of determination. We have to take the positives from that, which was the first half. We expect to be able to stay in first place and if we can extend our advantage then that will be even better."

A victory would be the best way to put the defeat in El Madrigal behind the team and Txiki believes that the team must now show character: "We have to work through this," he stated. "It is always difficult to recover after something like that. It is hard to react, but the players with the experience and personality have to now show that they have that. They have to help lift the team back up and ensure that continue moving forward."