FCBARCELONA.CAT

24.05.2007 14:46

Zambrotta: “We’re doubly motivated against Getafe”

David Puig

: The 4-0 defeat against Getafe and subsequent elimination from the Cup still hurts. Zambrotta believes that the players have plenty of reasons for making sure there are no slip-ups when the Madrid based team visit the Camp Nou on Saturday.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Gianluca Zambrotta told reporters that the players haven’t forgotten the 4-0 defeat in the Coliseo Alfonso Pérez but that Saturday’s game will not be about revenge: “The team will be doubly motivated this Saturday against Getafe. That 4-0 in the Cup still hurts but we have to forget that and focus only on the league and on beating Getafe, something that won’t be easy as they’re in good form”. However, Zambrotta does have at least one good memory of that Cup tie – Messi’s wonder goal in the first leg: “If something should go down in history from the tie against Getafe it’s Messi’s great goal. It’ll never be forgotten and I’m sure it will be become part of football history”.

The best attack against the best defence

The match this Saturday will see the best attack in La Liga (Barça with 70 goals) against the best defence (Getafe with 29 goals conceded). Zambrotta is an admirer of the defensive record of the team managed by Bernd Schuster: “They are a team that play very well defensively. That’s their great virtue. But we’re also strong in defence – we’ve only conceded one more goal than them. But our strength is our attacking play. We’ve scored more goals than any other team and our objective this Saturday is to score more goals than Getafe and take the three points”.

Three games, three wins

The players are focussed on winning the three remaining league matches but are well aware that they still need Real Madrid to draw or lose one of theirs. Zambrotta admits that Madrid are having a good run: “They’ve got luck on their side and they’re playing well, but we hope they’ll start losing points. Where? Who knows? In principle, their hardest game is away to Zaragoza, more than the game against Deportivo this Saturday, but everything’s possible in football. The important thing is for us to take all the points and from there we’ll see what Real Madrid does.”

Team at 150%

Zambrotta believes the Barça squad are looking good and is convinced they can win the three matches: “After the games against Getafe and Betis, we saw that we have to play at 150% in every match. Now the team is going flat out. You can see it in training and in the last match against Atlético Madrid.

His best run of form

Zambrotta is having his best run of form since he joined the Club. He scored his second goal on Sunday and has now chalked up 27 league appearances. The former Juventus defender has now settled in to the Spanish league and adapted to Barça’s attacking style: “In any season, there are good and bad moments and right now I’m in top form. The situation of the team also forces you to play with maximum concentration. Not just me but the whole team are playing well and ready to win the league”. As for his future, Zambrotta is turning a deaf ear to the rumours that he will be playing elsewhere next season and assured reporters today that he won’t be going anywhere: “I’m very happy in Barça I can assure you 100% that I’ll be staying here next season. I’m not thinking of returning to Italy or playing in another team”.