FCBARCELONA.CAT

29.04.2010 13:30

Laporta: “We have to win the four games”

Roger Bogunyà

Joan Laporta is making no excuses for Champions League elimination and has congratulated Inter. He’d rather think about the League now and said “Saturday’s game is very important, they all are now. We have to win all four games”.

Laporta was joined by vice president Rafa Yuste and technical secretary Txiki Begiristain at the Ciutat Esportiva to show their support for the side after the disappointing result against Inter Milan (1-0). The president offered them “words of pride and encouragement. I told them they have to look ahead and get over the setback. They are true professionals and sportsmen.”

Sad players

The Barça president knew that “the players wanted to bring some joy to the fans, and they saw how the crowd responded. They are sad, it was a big blow for them. They’re devastated. But today we have training and they’ll be firing again tomorrow”. They need to be – Villarreal are next up on Saturday.

League, League, League

Laporta added that “the players have to be aware that they have to play out of their skins to win the League. They are better placed than anyone right now, but we can’t get over confident. We all have to pick the players up. We have to win the four games and make sure we end up champions”.

Laporta also believes Barça have to stay faithful to their philosophy. “We are Barça, and we have a winning spirit and this is the best period in our history. We are the standard setters.”

Joy in Madrid?

Laporta didn’t want to be dragged into the possible joy in Madrid at Barça’s elimination. “I don’t know if they celebrated, but we just have to focus on the League. If they have celebrated our defeat, they’ve got barcelonitis. I only know that on an institutional level Madrid ‘s behaviour has been cordial and very sporting.”