Manu Trigueros: FC Barcelona are the most feared in Europe

With Villarreal set to host FC Barcelona on Sunday, one of the Yellow Submarine’s most important players spoke to www.fcbarcelona.cat to discuss his side’s good form and the threat that the league leaders pose among other topics.

Manu Trigueros, who had a spell at Barça’s La Masia in 2007/08, believes Barça are currently the most fearsome side in Europe but is confident of his team’s chances when they square up in Week 30 of La Liga.

With Villarreal qualifying for the quarter finals of the Europa League, it has been a good week for you. With Sunday’s game approaching, what do you expect from Barça?

We are going into the game with great enthusiasm. We need points as we are in the fight for fourth place. Now comes the toughest opponent and it is a game in which getting the points will be very important.

You said that Barça is the toughest opponent, and are currently 38 matches unbeaten. Does this figure frighten you?

To go 38 matches unbeaten speaks for itself. They are the most feared side in Europe. But we have a lot of enthusiasm playing at home and we will put up a fight.

You were unable to play at Camp Nou this season but you have tasted victory against Barça before. Is it tough to face Busquets, Iniesta, Messi, Neymar, Suárez and the rest?

When you face these teams, they always have top players in each position. It is always nice to take on these players but I have had the fortune of winning against them too. We’ll see what happens this time.

Who is the most dangerous Barça player?

Messi. You never know which way he is going to go. He is the player who requires the most attention but, at the moment, everyone is on good form.

Villarreal, too, have been on fine recent form, going 14 matches unbeaten but in recent weeks you have drawn once and lost twice. Is fourth place in danger?

We knew that the game against Sevilla would be very important to maintain our advantage over them but we were unable to do so. And against Las Palmas we also had a bad time. We know that the fight for fourth will be tough but we believe we can ultimately achieve it.

How do you rate the performances of your teammates and former Barça duo Denis Suárez and Jonathan Dos Santos?

They are performing well and are helping the team to towards our objectives. They are players who are enjoying minutes in the first team, although Jonathan is currently injured.

After playing in the Villarreal reserves, how do you feel now that you are a key component of a team fighting for fourth place in the league and the Europa League title?

I am very proud and I know it is very difficult to be in a team that is pushing for a Champions League spot. I feel very proud but now we must continue going forward.