02.01.2011 22:13

Pedro: “I’d give myself seven or right”

Aida Soriano

Barça two-goal hero Pedro Rodríguez was delighted with tonight’s showing against Levante, which ended in a 2-1 win for the home side.

He played all 96 minutes of Barça’s first game of 2011. He shot four times, three times on target. One his the Levante woodwork, while the other two resulted ion the two goals Barça were able to celebrate this evening.

Desire to collaborate

Pedro Rodríguez was clearly in a buoyant mood after such a terrific performance and asked to rate his performance out of ten, he said “I’d give myself seven or eight … But I always try to collaborate with the team”.

Great show

Pedro said the game with Levante “got a bit tricky, but we managed to pull through … we were in control, but couldn’t get goals, and then when Stuani scored, it got tricky again, we were going for long crosses and suffering, but we got there in the end … The team played well, but Levante were able to defend”.

Hard cup tie

They now have to regroup for the midweek cup tie with Athletic Bilbao, and Pedro warned that “it will be a very difficult game … But we will do all we can to get through”.

The following are some of the comments made by the players to the media after the game:

Andrés Iniesta
“The important thing was a winning start to the new year. We did all we could to win the game, but only managed to do it in the second half”.

“We have good stats [eleven consecutive league wins], and that means we are doing things right. Now we have a life or death game [against Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey] and we’ll go there to get things right”.

“The win matters more than anything else, and I dedicate it to Xavi”.

“I’m not thinking about that [the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2010], I’ll think about that on the day, because you have no time to think more than a week ahead here, there are more important things to come before. We’ll be there for the ceremony, we’ll enjoy it, and we’ll find out who the winner is”.

Víctor Valdés
“Today’s party was for Xavi , we mustn’t forget what he’s achieved. It is very important that he’s played so many official games for Barça and I congratulate him”.

“I take things day by day. I’m happy to be gradually advancing. It is an honour and privilege to equalise Antoni Ramallets [who played in goal in 384 matches for Barça]”.

“Levante defended tight, so it was difficult, but I think we had the game under control at all times”.

“They [the centre backs] played well. Sergio covered well and Abidal was very quick in everything he did”.

“The trip to Bilbao will be difficult. Athletic take this competition very seriously so it won’t be easy”.