Gerard Piqué
- Thread starter Barcaman
- Start date
I
instinct
Guest
Marca's office right now.
El Flaco
Active member
[tw]768514054063267840[/tw]
Translation.
Piqué: which CL draw I'd prefer? An easy group, Italy's 3rd in the round of 16, Germany's 8th in the quarters, England's 4th in semis and the return leg always at home.
F
Flavia
Guest
Pique 
He loves controversy. Really hope he'll be Barça's president one day.
He loves controversy. Really hope he'll be Barça's president one day.
[tw]768514054063267840[/tw]
Translation.
Piqué: which CL draw I'd prefer? An easy group, Italy's 3rd in the round of 16, Germany's 8th in the quarters, England's 4th in semis and the return leg always at home.
Legend
Ghostmaster
Danger Ahead
So it begins again I excpect Guti to respond very soon.
I excpect Guti to respond very soon.
hardyboy
Senior Member
George_Costanza
Active member
[tw]768514054063267840[/tw]
Translation.
Piqué: which CL draw I'd prefer? An easy group, Italy's 3rd in the round of 16, Germany's 8th in the quarters, England's 4th in semis and the return leg always at home.
El Flaco
Active member
Piqué's interview with Marca
Q: Have you been able to enjoy more rest this summer?
A: "It was not so different. We had a relaxing week off and has been very good to switch off. We know that we have prepared better by not having a pre-season tour. We did not suffer jet lag or the infernal heat in Asia. We started by winning the Supercopa, which was our aim, and now LaLiga and the Champions League soon, also with the obligation to win."
Is Lionel Messi well after returning from his own holiday?
"He arrived on the back of the heartache with the national team [in the Copa America] and that has made him more eager to win titles."
What do you make of the new signings this summer?
"We have signed very good players. They are young and bring hope. They come to fight for a place within the squad and gives the coach more options in each position. This is good for the team for two reasons; first if we suffer injuries but also to provide greater competition between players and raise their levels."
Will Samuel Umtiti be your new partner in central defence?
"There are many options. [Umtiti] is young and has moved forward. There are very good players in central defense with Umtiti, [Javier] Mascherano, [Jeremy] Mathieu and myself. Knowing the coach, we will play the four [centre-backs] throughout the season. The important thing is to concede very few goals. In the first game we were unlucky to get two. I think the key to winning titles is to concede zero goals."
Is this the best squad in recent years, as Luis Enrique claims?
"It is very difficult to compare because there are times and situations. The players go through different phases. I do not know if [the team] this year is the best, but I assure you it is very competitive and a great standard. We try to win titles as we have done in the last two years and we are lucky to achieve so much with Luis Enrique. It is a challenge."
Did Neymar need an extended holiday after the Olympics?
"Competing on home soil carries a great pressure to win but Neymar is used to it by playing with a big club like Barcelona, which has the obligation to win. He has shown why he is one of the best in the world in scoring the decisive penalty [in the final].""I'm sure he is very happy and will come back with great enthusiasm. He has earned this holiday after a very tough competition, where they did not start very well and had to fight hard to earn it. He'll come back after more appearances for his country. It has been very good decision."
Will you miss Claudio Bravo?
"There are decisions taken by the club in order to create a more competitive squad. If they have so decided it is because they consider there to be better options as goalkeeper. We are here to try and win titles with what we have."
Is there a fear from the back-up attacking options that they will be replaced?
"I do not think there is a fear of being replaced. We are in the transfer window and, as happens in poker, Barcelona do not want to show their cards and prefer keeping them inside until they can see clearly. I do not know if [more attackers] will come or not, but I'm sure we will have the best choice for the front line if there are no signings at the end [of the window] because Munir is performing very well."
What was significant about the opening day?
"I was surprised at the amount of positive goals. Madrid's win at the [Estadio] Anoeta was logical; they are a very big club that is always expected to win so this did not surprise me. We are still in the first round, players are not yet [fully] acclimatised and there are some that are better, physically, than others, hence surprises [across LaLiga]."
Is the goal this season to win the Champions League again?
"The goal is to win titles. It's true that the Champions League is very important because it has greater prestige, but we have spent two years winning LaLiga and the Copa del Rey. It's very important because we have already shown that we are the best team in the country by far." "Two consecutive doubles were not attainable for many years - this means that we are the team to beat by far."
What awaits Julen Lopetegui as Spain coach?
"He is a young coach that comes with great enthusiasm. I have spoken with him and the feeling is very good because he promotes beautiful football. He wants to have the ball and press high. With the team we have, there is much quality. I feel like going to the first call and find out more of what you want."
Is it difficult to follow in Vicente del Bosque's footsteps?
"Like everything, someone has to take up the mantle and he [Lopetegui] has been brave in taking the reins from Del Bosque. In clubs or national teams at a high level, winning many titles and from there the coaches that have come to succeed must reinforce these successes. But if you are immersed in this world, you are used to it."
What do you think of Manchester City's signing of John Stones?
"Stones is a great player, the best central defender England have. I like how he plays [because] it is a style like mine. It is difficult to do well because it is playing a different way. Pep is going to help him to take risks with the ball a lot. This is also like poker, in which there are times you have to take risks. But being a defender, you have to control that risk. I think he'll do well."
Are you a fan of Manchester United or City now that they are under Guardiola?
"Between Pep and United, I prefer the latter. I lived there a few very good years and I have always considered it my second home. I will always be a Red Devil. Although I have to admit that follow Manchester City fondly because there are more people I know, as in the case of Txiki [Begiristain], who helped me to come to Barcelona, and team-mates like [Jesus] Navas and [David] Silva. I like the Premier League as a fan. It is a league you quickly follow."
Do you think Cesc Fabregas could end up at Real Madrid?
"It would be his decision and wouldn't stop me being his friend because our relationship dates back many years. I do not know what he will do but [if it happens] we will remain friends, except during games."
Which of Spain's Olympic medals did you enjoy the most?
"I have followed the Games a lot and the truth is that all the medals have moved me. Since the first of Mireia [Belmonte], winning by thousandths and watching it from my bed with Shakira sleeping beside me. Then the women's silver and men's in basketball, won at the last second by one point. Ruth Beitia was also very exciting. I think it's been a very good Games for Spain.""From Barcelona there was a change in Spanish sport. It is being preserved and I hope that more investment in new talent to compete with larger nations. I do not say with the United States, but in the group that Britain and France are located. Let's see if in the future we can stick our head into this group."
Do your children live for football?
"For the youngest, it is still early but the oldest is a football obsessed. He knows all teams, how they dress, their colors, the players. It reminds me of me when I was younger, living it with great passion. For a parent who is dedicated to football. it makes me proud."
What things does he ask you?
"Mostly he asks me why we lost a game. He does not understand a Barca loss, something that new generations think happens a little. He also questions a lot of the rules of the game such as a penalty, fouls or corners."
http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2016/08/24/57bd6192468aebc1748b457e.html
A: "It was not so different. We had a relaxing week off and has been very good to switch off. We know that we have prepared better by not having a pre-season tour. We did not suffer jet lag or the infernal heat in Asia. We started by winning the Supercopa, which was our aim, and now LaLiga and the Champions League soon, also with the obligation to win."
Is Lionel Messi well after returning from his own holiday?
"He arrived on the back of the heartache with the national team [in the Copa America] and that has made him more eager to win titles."
What do you make of the new signings this summer?
"We have signed very good players. They are young and bring hope. They come to fight for a place within the squad and gives the coach more options in each position. This is good for the team for two reasons; first if we suffer injuries but also to provide greater competition between players and raise their levels."
Will Samuel Umtiti be your new partner in central defence?
"There are many options. [Umtiti] is young and has moved forward. There are very good players in central defense with Umtiti, [Javier] Mascherano, [Jeremy] Mathieu and myself. Knowing the coach, we will play the four [centre-backs] throughout the season. The important thing is to concede very few goals. In the first game we were unlucky to get two. I think the key to winning titles is to concede zero goals."
Is this the best squad in recent years, as Luis Enrique claims?
"It is very difficult to compare because there are times and situations. The players go through different phases. I do not know if [the team] this year is the best, but I assure you it is very competitive and a great standard. We try to win titles as we have done in the last two years and we are lucky to achieve so much with Luis Enrique. It is a challenge."
Did Neymar need an extended holiday after the Olympics?
"Competing on home soil carries a great pressure to win but Neymar is used to it by playing with a big club like Barcelona, which has the obligation to win. He has shown why he is one of the best in the world in scoring the decisive penalty [in the final].""I'm sure he is very happy and will come back with great enthusiasm. He has earned this holiday after a very tough competition, where they did not start very well and had to fight hard to earn it. He'll come back after more appearances for his country. It has been very good decision."
Will you miss Claudio Bravo?
"There are decisions taken by the club in order to create a more competitive squad. If they have so decided it is because they consider there to be better options as goalkeeper. We are here to try and win titles with what we have."
Is there a fear from the back-up attacking options that they will be replaced?
"I do not think there is a fear of being replaced. We are in the transfer window and, as happens in poker, Barcelona do not want to show their cards and prefer keeping them inside until they can see clearly. I do not know if [more attackers] will come or not, but I'm sure we will have the best choice for the front line if there are no signings at the end [of the window] because Munir is performing very well."
What was significant about the opening day?
"I was surprised at the amount of positive goals. Madrid's win at the [Estadio] Anoeta was logical; they are a very big club that is always expected to win so this did not surprise me. We are still in the first round, players are not yet [fully] acclimatised and there are some that are better, physically, than others, hence surprises [across LaLiga]."
Is the goal this season to win the Champions League again?
"The goal is to win titles. It's true that the Champions League is very important because it has greater prestige, but we have spent two years winning LaLiga and the Copa del Rey. It's very important because we have already shown that we are the best team in the country by far." "Two consecutive doubles were not attainable for many years - this means that we are the team to beat by far."
What awaits Julen Lopetegui as Spain coach?
"He is a young coach that comes with great enthusiasm. I have spoken with him and the feeling is very good because he promotes beautiful football. He wants to have the ball and press high. With the team we have, there is much quality. I feel like going to the first call and find out more of what you want."
Is it difficult to follow in Vicente del Bosque's footsteps?
"Like everything, someone has to take up the mantle and he [Lopetegui] has been brave in taking the reins from Del Bosque. In clubs or national teams at a high level, winning many titles and from there the coaches that have come to succeed must reinforce these successes. But if you are immersed in this world, you are used to it."
What do you think of Manchester City's signing of John Stones?
"Stones is a great player, the best central defender England have. I like how he plays [because] it is a style like mine. It is difficult to do well because it is playing a different way. Pep is going to help him to take risks with the ball a lot. This is also like poker, in which there are times you have to take risks. But being a defender, you have to control that risk. I think he'll do well."
Are you a fan of Manchester United or City now that they are under Guardiola?
"Between Pep and United, I prefer the latter. I lived there a few very good years and I have always considered it my second home. I will always be a Red Devil. Although I have to admit that follow Manchester City fondly because there are more people I know, as in the case of Txiki [Begiristain], who helped me to come to Barcelona, and team-mates like [Jesus] Navas and [David] Silva. I like the Premier League as a fan. It is a league you quickly follow."
Do you think Cesc Fabregas could end up at Real Madrid?
"It would be his decision and wouldn't stop me being his friend because our relationship dates back many years. I do not know what he will do but [if it happens] we will remain friends, except during games."
Which of Spain's Olympic medals did you enjoy the most?
"I have followed the Games a lot and the truth is that all the medals have moved me. Since the first of Mireia [Belmonte], winning by thousandths and watching it from my bed with Shakira sleeping beside me. Then the women's silver and men's in basketball, won at the last second by one point. Ruth Beitia was also very exciting. I think it's been a very good Games for Spain.""From Barcelona there was a change in Spanish sport. It is being preserved and I hope that more investment in new talent to compete with larger nations. I do not say with the United States, but in the group that Britain and France are located. Let's see if in the future we can stick our head into this group."
Do your children live for football?
"For the youngest, it is still early but the oldest is a football obsessed. He knows all teams, how they dress, their colors, the players. It reminds me of me when I was younger, living it with great passion. For a parent who is dedicated to football. it makes me proud."
What things does he ask you?
"Mostly he asks me why we lost a game. He does not understand a Barca loss, something that new generations think happens a little. He also questions a lot of the rules of the game such as a penalty, fouls or corners."
http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2016/08/24/57bd6192468aebc1748b457e.html
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