FCBARCELONA.CAT

16.12.2007 14:38

Touré: “We did what we had to do”

Berta Brau

The Ivorian was delighted with the win at Mestalla saying “it was a very important win, we had to win and we did”, although he was most upset to witness the injury to Leo Messi.

FC Barcelona have ended their disappointing run of away form with a convincing win at Mestalla. “We did what we had to do. It was a very important win, especially because Real Madrid are home to Osasuna today and we had to narrow the gap”.

The downside

Despite the optimism surrounding the win at Mestalla, Touré recognised that the fact that Leo Messi will be sidelined for the next 4 or 5 weeks was “although it forms part of the game, the negative side of the game because Messi is such a useful player for the team”. The injury has come at what he considers a bad time and now Barça “have to play and act like a team in order to win”.

Touré’s first classic

This will be the Ivorian’s first taste of a Barça v Madrid match, but he knows what to expect. “I think it will be a great match, unique in the world, and I really think we can win”. Asked about the typical winding up that goes on in the press before these matches, he said “the best way of defending against these comments is on the pitch, playing good football. It is a very special game for us and for the fans and we will give it the maximum”.

A good opponent

Touré knows what to expect from Real Madrid, saying “I know Raul, I played against him when he was in Greece and he is a very good player, I admire him a lot, but we have no choice but to win on Sunday … Real Madrid have very good players but we do too, although right now we are without both Henry and Messi while they have a full squad to choose from. But I think Barça has the best team in the world”.