FCBARCELONA.CAT

25.03.2010 12:59

Maxwell: "We have to focus on ourselves"

Vanessa Forns

Maxwell believes that morale in the FC Barcelona squad is sky high after the team moved three points clear at the top of the table by beating Osasuna, but knows that there can be no slip-ups.

The Brazilian full-back is impressed with the way that the team forged a victory on Wednesday evening to take their tally of points even higher. “71 points shows that we have done well,” he explained. “We want to continue like that and we have to keep picking up all the points. At this stage of the season we cannot lose anything. If Madrid then drop any points than all the better, but we have to keep focussing on ourselves.”

Improving matters

On a personal level Maxwell has been pleased with his performances in the past few matches, but admits he can improve even further. “I cannot be completely satisfied, but I am pleased with the confidence that this has given me,” he said.

Privileged assist

Against Osasuna in midweek Maxwell set up Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the opening goal. “To create that was a privilege,” he stated. “I feel great to have done that. The rest of the team is doing well too and we have faith in our own strengths and confidence in every player.”

On Ibrahimovic’s goal and attitude Maxwell feels that the Swede needed a boost. “He is only angry with himself because any striker always wants to score. But these things happen to forwards and I am sure that we will all be helping him and we will create a lot more chances for him.”

Changing times

“The attitude in the first half against Osasuna was not intense enough and we did not put much pressure on them going forward,” Maxwell explained after being asked about the Wednesday outing. “At half-time we talked about things and how to improve tactically and in the second half we went out with a different approach and improved. There is time in every game to improve things.”

Chygrynskiy motivated

On Dmytro Chygrynskiy’s battle to win a place in the team Maxwell explained that the Ukrainian defender is upbeat. “He is highly motivated and is working very hard,” he said. “He has never stopped working and I am sure that when he has a chance he will take it. We all have faith in him.”