FCBARCELONA.CAT

02.11.2008 18:12

New mentality, new motivation

Berta Brau

Rafa Márquez has explained that “in a new period, with a new coach and a new mentality” there is now a “new motivation”, both individually and for the whole team. The Mexican stated that “it’s important to keep up the level we have achieved so far."

The Mexican defender affirmed the he was going through a good moment “in a new period, with a new coach and a new mentality”, and that there is now a “new motivation”. “Things have gone well so far”, he added.

League leaders

Márquez explained that the team has gone through “ a change of mentality” at the start of the new period”. For Márquez, the key to success has been “wanting to be on top”. “It’s not that we didn’t want to win last season”, but he believes that “there’s a new sense of ambition in the changing room”.

Keeping up the good run

The Blaugrana defender believes that now Barça are league leaders it is essential “to keep up the current standard, and carry on with the present good run”.
“Difficult but not impossible”

Márquez said the Guardiola’s message to the players is to be prudent, take it game by game, without looking too much at the long-term: “There’s a lot of competition, but we have to keep up with our style of play. Our sights are only set on the next match. At the moment, this is working, and this is what the coach wants. It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible”.

A complete coach

Márquez has described coach Pep Guardiola as “complete, ambitious, a motivator with a winning mentality”. The Mexican believes that the Barça coach has what it takes for success: “With his experience as a player and the team he has behind him, it’s more than enough to be team leader”.