FCBARCELONA.CAT

25.11.2008 20:12

Piqué: “I prefer opponents like this”

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Barça centre back Gerard Piqué was the player chosen to speak to the press before FC Barcelona’s final training session on Portuguese soil.

The Catalan defender considers games like these are “much nicer to play in. Against Sporting, Sevilla, Madrid or Valencia, we can play our football, because the other team wants to play as well. It means we can develop our game better, play the ball around, which are things we couldn’t do, for example, against Basel and Benidorm … looking at it like that, I like playing against the so-called big teams”.

Going for the win

Asked about the importance of the match against the side from Lisbon, Piqué said “it is always important to win, no matter against whom and in what competition. Barça always have to win their games, and tomorrow the top spot in the group is at stake, and in terms of the second round draw, it is fundamental to get to play the return leg at home”.

The rival

The Portuguese press wanted to know what Piqué made of Paulo Bento’s two main strikers, Liedson and Derlei. “They are two great forwards. Not only that, but Liedson is on form. But I’m most impressed by the way Moutinho comes through from behind, and he shoots really well from outside the area”.

Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Asked which of the two players he would consider to be the best in the world, being somebody who has played alongside both this year, Piqué replied that “I think the favourite to win the Balon d’Or is Cristiano Ronaldo, because of what he won last year. But I have to say it’s a luxury to play with Messi in your side, it’s a real pleasure for me, and there are things Messi does that Cristiano can’t. The Argentinian tips the balance more than the Portuguese player”.