FCBARCELONA.CAT

21.02.2010 13:18

Puyol: “the win is a morale booster”

Anna Segura

Speaking to the media after training on Sunday morning, Carles Puyol admitted that against Racing, “we didn’t play brilliantly, but it was practical . The win will give us a morale boost” ahead of the Stuttgart game.

After the slip up against Atletico Madrid, the win against Racing has put the team back on the right track and was perfectly timed ahead of the Champions League game against Stuttgart , whilst club captain Carles Puyol admitted it wasn’t one of the team’s most brilliant performances, he insisted the win would give the team a fillip.

Ready for the Champions League

This week sees the team back in midweek action with the return of the Champions League and Puyol commented: “it’s always good to play in midweek. That means we are still in the running for titles. Let’s hope it’s that way right up to the final”.

Goal against Stuttgart

Carles Puyol has already scored against the Germans – getting on the scoresheet, together with Messi, in the 0-2 2007/08 Champions League win –“and I don’t score that many!” quipped the captain.

Need for focus

It’s a different story now though, with Stuttgart much improved since the tie was drawn and Puyol insisted: “they’re playing better now and they are a dangerous team”. Saturday’s 1-5 thrashing of Cologne at the weekend hasn’t gone unnoticed by the squad: “if we don’t go there focussed, we could really have a bad time”.

No room for errors

Echoing Guardiola’s message from last week, Puyol warned that the season was approaching its decisive phase: “we’re not at the business end just yet, but we’re close. All the teams are very much at the same level and any mistakes could prove costly. Now we need to give everything because what lies ahead could be really great”.

Guardiola’s demand for more

Responding to Guardiola’s demand for more from his players, Puyol reckons: “if he wants more from us, it’s because he knows we can give more. We always have to look to improve”.