"I support the vote, but that has nothing to do with La Roja"

Gerard Piqué spoke to the press ahead of Barcelona's opening Champions League fixture against APOEL and defended his commitment to Spain as well as expressing his support for a referendum on Catalan independence.

Pre-match feeling: "Very good. We are going into the game having won three matches. Maybe out opponent isn't very well known or a particularly strong rival but it will definitely be hard to score the first goal."

Substitute: "Physically I'm fine. My back isn't 100 percent but I can perform. It's a technical decision that I have to accept. I'm training well. I still have some pain and when I hit the floor I can feel it. But I've never felt like a starter or a substitute.

Presence at the Diada: "I'm Catalan and I wanted to participate in the fiesta. I went with my friends to have a good time with the other 1.8 million who went. People have no reason to doubt me. I have been playing for Spain for over 11 years. Another thing is to be in favour of the referendum, which is something democratic. People should have the right to vote. One thing has nothing to do with other."

Real Madrid: "The gap doesn't mean that the thing is over already. I can't imagine that they won't catch up to us at some point during the season.

Criticism: "I try to do my best always. I am happy with my performances and there's not much I can do about what the fans and the press are trying to make out."

Spain absence: "That is an example of what journalism is. It's designed to get clicks on web pages. It's false, as was the stuff about Neymar's fine.

Messi-Neymar: They are the same as always but the way things have been going it's normal that people are excited. They clicked from the first day. We have the best in the world there and they decide games."

Public opinion: "I have felt for some time that I am not assessed in sporting terms. I feel very proud to be part of this team and this club. What's important now is the game against APOEL. If you read the papers I have to improve a lot. I feel I am doing that and we are on the right track. I hope that when I retire I feel that I was the best goalkeeper I could have been."

Laporta investigation: "I'm not going to get involved in that."

Champions League: "Barcelona has only won four. We have a great generation of players and we want to win many more. We can't place any more pressure on ourselves."

from Últimas noticias | Diario AS http://ift.tt/1oUSRLp

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