FCBARCELONA.CAT

23.07.2007 19:37

“We have to be ready for a very demanding season”

Sergi Nogueras

After two days of medical tests and training in Barcelona, the pre-season focus moves to Scotland, where Rijkaard’s players will begin preparations for what Iniesta described on Monday as, “very demanding”.

In Saint Andrews, Barça will begin their preparations, for what is sure to be tough season, with two friendlies and a series of training sessions. According to Iniesta: “Our only objective is to be ready for a very demanding season. We’ll have a good pre-season and the aim is get fit and strong. We have two games and we’ll try and win them, but the main thing is to get fit”.

More pressure

Last season, the important titles slipped through the players’ fingers so this season the demands and pressure on the players will be even higher: “After a year without winning, there’s always more pressure. But in fact there always is because here you’re always obliged to win titles. But that’s also a challenge and with the reinforcements that have arrived we have more chance of winning them. We have to fight on all fronts”.

Positive progress

Match after match, Iniesta has shown that he’s one of the most gifted players in the Spanish league, and he wants to keep things moving forward: “Last season was my best on a personal level and I’m happy with that. But I’m really keen to improve. I’ve always had confidence in myself and that’s why I’m here”.

A quality squad

Iniesta also had his say on the ‘problem’ of choosing between four world class forwards: Messi, Ronaldinho, Eto'o and Henry. “That’s the manager’s decision and it also depends on the match. These are things that are down to him. But the most important thing is that we have some of the best players in the world and we have a lot of variations”.