FCBARCELONA.CAT

25.02.2008 14:09

“We’ve always believed in ourselves”

Jordi Clos

Sylvinho says Barça has to keep on working hard in all three competitions. The Brazilian full-back admitted that “we didn’t expect to cut the gap by so many points in just one month.”

The thrashing of Levante which has brought Barça to within two points of League leaders Real Madrid has boosted morale among the players even more. Recent results and the way the team has been playing are cause to be optimistic, though the players themselves have never felt any other way. “We’ve always believed in ourselves,” said Sylvinho at today’s press conference. “Whether we’re nine points behind or just two like now, we have to believe in what we’re doing.” However, the Barça defender did admit that “we didn’t expect to cut the gap by so many points in just one month, even though we know the League is a long campaign and all the games are tough.”

Spectacular football

The team appears to have discovered how to play spectacular football again. Experienced players like Sylvinho know what it’s all about. “Results affect how a team develops. You can play well but if you lose you get slated and football is a game that goes in spells.” He went on to say that “we’re an attacking side and we take risks, but that’s the way we’ve always played.”

Pressure on Madrid

Sylvinho said he hadn’t watched Madrid slip up against Getafe live. “It’s not easy being on top,” he said, “as you have to play knowing that someone else is after you.” Despite not seeing what happened with Uche’s goal, he thinks that “it’s hard to picture, but I would say it’s more a case of quick thinking by Getafe than poor play by Madrid.”

Now the Cup

Barça are playing matches with barely a break at the moment, and on Wednesday it’s the turn of the King’s Cup when they take on Valencia in the Camp Nou in the first leg of the semi-final. “We’re playing for all three titles in 9 or 10 days. There’s still three months to go and each game is a final,” he said. “We need to take a different approach with the Cup and the Champions League.”