06.08.2010 18:41

Pinto: “It is an important chance for me"

www.fcbarcelona.cat

José Manuel Pinto has stated that he is ready to try to take advantage of his chance to play in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Sevilla as Víctor Valdés has been called up by Spain for an international friendly.

Before training in Beijing on Friday the goalkeeper explained: "We will not have Víctor with us and it will be an important opportunity for me," he said. "I now have to prepare and continue to train hard ahead of the game." League champions Barça are due to meet Copa del Rey winners Sevilla in the opening game of the two-legged affair in the Sánchez Pizjuán on August 14.

Taking over

Spain boss Vicente del Bosque has included Valdés in his squad for the friendly against Mexico in the Azteca on August 11, along with six other Barça stars, and that means that Pinto is in prime position to play for the Blaugrana. "We will be without seven important players, but we have to accept it and we need to think about how we will play without them," he explained. "We will still have total belief in ourselves."

Youth stoppers

During pre-season Pinto has been working closely with the youth team goalkeepers and he is impressed. "Rubén Miño like Jordi Masip and Oier Olazábal have great quality," he stated. "In that sense the Barça youth ranks is taken care of and has good keepers."

Cannot compare

After seeing previous goalkeeping coach Juan Carlos Unzué leave to take over at Numancia this summer Pinto has not wanted to compare him to successor Carles Busquets. "It is like comparing two players," he said. "Each one has their own things and different qualities."

No excuses

Reflecting on the first goal that he conceded against the K-League Select Xi in midweek the keeper added: "The bounce surprised me because the pitch was hard, but it is no excuse. The ball went over my boot and I was not sure enough."

Ball games

Pinto believes that the new ball that will be used in the league is similar to those being used in the Champions League. "The Champions League ones move a lot, but the league ones do now as well compared to last season," he commented.