19.08.2010 12:49

Piqué: "Everyone has a good fitness level"

Roger Bogunyà

Gerard Piqué believes that all the players that had late holidays due to playing in the World Cup Finals are already back to their best and ready to play again as FC Barcelona continue their preparations for the visit of Sevilla.

The Blaugrana defender returned with several other international stars after the rest of the squad and are in the early stages of their pre-season regime, but he feels they are doing well. “We all came back with a good level of fitness and are in great condition,” Piqué explained.

Last weekend none of the Spain players that appeared in friendlies for their countries in midweek featured in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup and Piqué agreed with the decision. “To play an international and then play so soon after would mean recharging very quickly,” he continued. “On a personal note though I felt better than I thought I would.”

Sevilla advantage

Piqué does not think that Sevilla will be distracted by their Champions League Play-Off game against Braga three days after the visit to Camp Nou. The Andalucian outfit lost in Portugal on Wednesday. “I think that they are different competitions,” the former Manchester United player added. “They will come here to win the Super Cup. They, like us, will be only thinking about the game on Saturday.

“Obviously they have an advantage and 3-1 is always a good result. We have to bounce back, playing in Camp Nou will help us as we will have our fans behind us and some teams find that games here feel very long.”

House of fun

Looking ahead to the new league season Piqué is relishing the prospect of trying to help Barça finish ahead of Real Madrid again. “It will be fun,” he said. “We are two very different teams with different styles although [José] Mourinho claims they will be attacking, with very different coaches and two great squads. Maybe other teams will be involved too, but both ourselves and Madrid will be up there.”

Squad satisfaction

With speculation still rife about new players Piqué was asked whether he felt that there will be any more new arrivals at Barça. “I do not think it is finished,” he said. “We have enough with 19 first-team players and the B teamers. We have a squad that is good enough, both in terms of quality and quantity. We go into it as reigning champions and have shown our quality.”