FCBARCELONA.CAT

18.01.2008 14:30

Thuram: "The defence is stronger this year"

Anna Segura

Lilian Thuram believes that FC Barcelona's defence is even stronger this season after the arrival of Éric Abidal and Gaby Milito in the summer, but also claimed that not conceding goals was down to the whole team.

The Blaugrana's defensive qualities stood out, in particular, in the second leg of the Copa del Rey tie with Sevilla in midweek as Frank Rijkaard's team progressed to the quarter finals. "The defence is stronger than last season," Thuram explained in a press conference on Friday. As well as highlighting the signings of both Abidal and Milito, the French international said that "to defend well, the team has to do well".

Gaining ground

On Sunday, Barça entertain Real Racing Club from Santander while league leaders Real Madrid take on Atlético de Madrid in a tricky local derby encounter in Vicente Calderón. Thuram recognised that a home win from that game would be welcomed by Barça and he added: "It is still possible to catch them. But what is most important is that we win our games."

Henry, Ronaldinho and Messi

Thuram than reflected on the form of his compatriot, Thierry Henry. "Great players always want to play well and to do so they have to physically fine," he stated. The former Juventus defender then said that the same applies to Ronaldinho as he explained: "When he is back to full fitness he will be ready to play. Asked by a French journalist if he found it normal that Ronaldinho was the subject of so much talk, Thuram simply added: "It is normal to speak well or badly about him because he is a symbol of the club."

Lionel Messi was the next topic to come up as the Argentinian is close to a return to action after training normally this week. "The team needs him," Thuram said. "He is the strongest player in the world and any team would need a player like him."