FC Barcelona will play a hugely important game tomorrow night at St James’ Park as they take on Newcastle United in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
The Blaugrana already beat the Magpies 2-1 earlier this season, during the league phase of the competition, and will be hoping for a similar outcome on Tuesday night.
On the eve of the match, Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia appeared at the press conference, where he discussed several things, including the upcoming club presidential elections.
Kicking things off, the 24-year-old star made it clear that the team had no margin for error and that they must learn from the 4-0 Copa del Rey defeat to Atletico Madrid last month.
“We’re approaching it with great enthusiasm, knowing there will be a second leg, but we’re sure they’ll come out with everything. We have to learn from the Cup tie against Atlético, where we paid the price for what happened in the first leg,” he said.
With the presidential elections only a week away, there has been a lot of noise in the Barcelona media, especially after Xavi Hernandez’s explosive comments and today’s electoral debate between the candidates Joan Laporta and Victor Font.
However, Garcia made it clear that all the noise was not affecting the locker room, saying:
“It doesn’t affect us at all, we’re focused on the game.”
The election noise has also led to speculation over the future of Barcelona director Deco, with Font making clear that he would get rid of the former Portuguese international if elected. On whether the squad is worried about Deco’s future, Garcia replied:
“I haven’t thought about that, nor have my teammates; we’re focused on what’s at stake.”
Joan Garcia of FC Barcelona
Ready to face Newcastle. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Talking about the team’s recent performances, the Spaniard noted: “We’ve taken a step forward in the last few matches, we press better, when we’re well structured, we take advantage of the two long weeks to work.”
“I already said after the 4-0 against Atletico that we would learn from our mistakes, we are a young squad and we have understood that,” he added.
Talking about improving his own game, Garcia remarked: “I try to improve little things every day, I’ve had to broaden my playing style, and I hope to be a better goalkeeper by the end of the season.”
The goalkeeper took a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about their 2-1 win over Newcastle at St James’ Park earlier this season, saying:
“It’s good to have already played to get to know the opponent and the stadium, but we know they’ll come out very intense, and we’ll have to be careful.”
“I repeat that it helps to have played here before, but we have to stay focused and match their high tempo,” Garcia further added.
“They try to press, they rely heavily on their physicality. We already did it on the day of the 1-2, but we have to repeat it and improve on what we didn’t do so well.”
Concluding, Garcia touched upon the reports of interest from Newcastle United in him before his move to Barcelona last summer by saying:
“A lot was said in the summer, but when Barça’s name came up, I knew what I wanted. Any calls after that? No. I’m very happy at Barça.”
Source: Mundo Deportivo