Gerard Piqué faced the international press on Monday evening. The defender said he was delighted to be back in Manchester but is hoping FC Barcelona gain a good result from tomorrow’s Champions League run-in with Manchester City to take back to Camp Nou next month.
Differences between the current City side and the 2014 team
I imagine it will be a similar game (to the 2014 meeting), both teams will be attacking and both will want control of the ball. In the first leg, the penalty and Demichelis’ dismissal was the turning point – without that, it would have been a more evenly-balanced game. Leo brilliantly broke away and was one-on-one with the keeper and tipped the tie in our favour. We will be focused at the back, we will defend well. But City will be playing their game too – they’ll want to attack us and leave spaces at the back.
Málaga defeat
We’re talking about two different competitions; it’s been a while since we lasted had a Champions League match and this is the most prestigious competition. We’ve come here with the idea of doing a good job and gaining a good result. Sunday’s defeat didn’t hurt more than the one at Anoeta. The team has shown that it is capable of playing good football and comfortably winning our games. I don’t think Sunday’s defeat was anywhere near as painful as the one in San Sebastián as Madrid had just lost and we didn’t take our chance to gain ground on them.
Doubts following Sunday’s defeat
Every three days we have a game and you don’t have time to reflect because after you finish one game, you’re recovering then preparing for the next. There’s a certain feeling of revenge to win following a defeat because you never forget a defeat at Camp Nou and gaining a good result tomorrow will restore confidence and help us to confront the rest of the campaign.
What kind of match are you expecting?
It’s difficult to say – it will depend on what kind of game City play; we will be setting out to control possession of the ball and they will also want to control the ball and attack us. It’s easier to attack when your opponents leave you spaces to do so.
Can you tell us a little more about the photographs of Messi and Cesc leaving a casino?
A friend from London was over and we had a nice time together with him.
Luis Enrique under question
There is no discord, the whole team is right behind the coach and the connection between us has always been good. These issues were never brought up when we had gone on an 11-game winning run. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. When we enjoy good results in the next few weeks we will show that the team is the same as it was three days ago.
Touré out for City
Yaya is an important player – like he was for us when he was here. At City, he has shown that he is a great presence in attack. I’ve noticed the difference from when he plays and when he is out.
David Silva
He’s probably their trickiest player in the sense that he can pick the ball up in midfield and create chances, or score himself. We’re talking about a top player here – I know him from playing together with the national team and from when he was at Valencia. There’s no debating his technical ability and we will need to be on top of him right the way through the game.
What does it feel like to be back in Manchester?
It’s really great to be back and I’m very excited to be here, where I spent three years. The people here are magnificent and they way they live and breathe football with such passion is fantastic. I was here with a club which historically, is among the top three clubs in the world. Coming here, to this great stadium is always a nice experience, and obviously it’s a great chance to beat Manchester United’s big rivals.
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