FCBARCELONA.CAT

12.02.2009 20:00

Piqué: “It’s titles that count”

Edgar Fornós

Despite his first call-up to play for Spain and FC Barcelona being on such stunning form, Piqué has his feet firmly on the ground and says “if we don’t win any titles, all of this work will count for nothing”.

Gerard Piqué is having the best time so far since he returned to the club from Manchester United. He didn’t get too many chances in England, but at Barça things are working wonders and he is winning the favour of manager Josep Guardiola. “I am very happy with my current situation” he said. “If they had said at the start of the year that I’d be centre back for a club as big as Barça and playing for the national team, I would never have believed it”.

Staying realistic

It’s all going brilliantly for him and FC Barcelona, but Piqué made it clear that “you can play well, score lots of goals and be leaders but if none of that hard work is rewarded with titles at the end of the season, then it has all been for nothing.”

Difficult trip to Ruiz de Lopera

FC Barcelona go to the Ruiz de Lopera next, where they have traditionally struggled to get good results. The defender said “I can still remember last season’s game. I watched it on television. Losing to Betis 3-2 after leading 2-0 was a tough one. In general, Barça have had lot of problems over the years at that ground.”

Extra motivation

Piqué played all 90 minutes of last night’s game with England. The Catalan learned a lot from the experience. “I didn’t expect to play the game and certainly not from the start. That has helped boost my confidence and continue working hard to get better as a footballer”.