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Whether it is against Barcelona or any other side, when you wear the captain’s armband the responsibility is always the same because of what the shirt and armband represent respect that needs to be shown is always the same. These matches are fascinating fixtures and maybe even more so but my thoughts are soley focused on the picth at the moment.
I believe that I can cover many roles more or less well. It was asked to me my favourite role and it is probably in front of the defence and the one I am less capable at is just behind the two strikers. But this is no secret and everybody knows this and there’s absolutely no problem. I am available to the coach, and I will try to give my best in the role in which he sees fit.
It is part of my character to struggle to be in top condition at the start of the season and I believe that in the last matches, performance aside, I feel better and I want to continue improving . Clearly playing well in these matches is an extra motivation. I repeat they are magical nights and let’s hope it is a magical night for us and the fans tomorrow night.
The match will be more or less like last year. Lots of possession play by Barcelona and our focus must be to limit the spaces between the lines which is the area in which Barcelona punish you the most. We need to therefore be compact to limit them. Clearly it is difficult because they have exceptional quality players but last year we demonstrated that we can do it and we need to do it again.
Qualification is clearly not at stake tomorrow but winning or getting a positive result would help but let’s say that a direct clash is harder to prepare for.