FCBARCELONA.CAT

26.04.2010 17:44

Piqué looks to Camp Nou factor

Jordi Clos

Gerard Piqué is looking forward to the match against Inter Milan and expects a packed Camp Nou to provide an intimidating arena for Jose Mourinho and his players.

Barca fans around the world have responded to the first leg defeat in Milan with an avalanche of enthusiasm and an unshakeable belief in the team’s ability to overturn Inter’s two-goal advantage. The players are well aware of this and, speaking at Monday’s press conference, Piqué told reporters: “I hope the atmosphere makes the Inter players hate their profession for 90 minutes. It all helps a great deal. I don’t remember an atmosphere like this. People are so engaged, excited and confident. I feel really proud”.

“I’m looking forward to the best Camp Nou of all time. I don’t want to see a single empty seat. However, I don’t want any violence whatsoever. I just mean that the fans cheer for us, making our opponents feel all alone”.

Three reasons to be confident

Piqué is pretty confident of a good result: “I’m confident because of all the results we’ve obtained in a year and a half, because of our home record, and the way we’re playing. We’ll try and be ourselves and play our game. Inter will try and stop us by trying to prevent us from playing the way we like. But in the Camp Nou, where the pitch is bigger, it’ll be more difficult to stop us”.

Stay cool and be ambitious

Despite the red-hot atmosphere surrounding the match, Piqué is staying calm: “We mustn’t get carried away by anxiety. Even if they score, which could happen, we have to keep on trying. We have to be ambitious and score as many goals as possible. Every player likes these matches and it’s great to have the opportunity to reach the final of the Champions League. This is one of the most important matches in the Club’s recent history”.