FCBARCELONA.CAT

25.11.2008 10:40

Txiki: “It’s the most important game to date”

Berta Brau

Barça’s technical secretary Txiki Begiristain, has said that Wednesday’s game is the most important until now because it is one in which “things will be decided”. He is quite aware of the advantages associated to finishing top of the group.

FC Barcelona travel to Lisbon on Tuesday and before leaving, Txiki Begiristain spoke to the press about the vital importance of the fixture against Sporting Clube, in which the leadership of Group C is up for grabs.

Going for the top

“The games are now starting in which there are things to be played for” said the technical secretary, who added that a win against Sporting Clube would mean that “the last game [in the Champions League group stage] would be relaxed because we would not be obliged to win”.

Good league form

He is also pleased with the way things are going for Barça in the League, and was not disappointed by their performance against Getafe. “The tone, the intensity and the football were good, especially the way we got better as things went on, both in terms of the score and the play. The team reacted and that gives you a good feeling”.

No debate about Messi

The name of Leo Messi naturally came up, and Txiki made it clear that “He is the best player in the world and he evidently has an influence and it’s better if he can play” and also commented that the club hopes “he can play in 89 or 90% of the matches” but “we have seen that the team can win without him, and even when he plays, we have still lost matches”.