Piqué: “I give our season a high mark”

Gerard Piqué has taken a look back over the season for Barça TV. The defender was interviewed for ‘El Marcador’ following the win against Valladolid and the celebration of the league title with the fans. “The fans were looking forward to enjoying the league with us and once again they proved it by coming on a difficult day”. Piqué spoke about the moment Carles Puyol handed the trophy to Tito Vilanova and Éric Abidal. “It was a great gesture by Puyol. The captain always makes good and appropriate gestures. They both deserve it. But now we have to move on and focus on the future with enthusiasm and hope”.

Winning titles is very difficult and we’ve got used to the good times but winning a league is never easy

As for the season as a whole, Piqué has no doubts: “I give our season a high mark. We’ve got used to the good times. We’ve won a lot over the last few years and we and the coaching staff know that. Winning titles is very difficult and we’ve got used to the good times but winning a league is never easy”.

The 100-point challenge

Although the objective of winning the league has been achieved, the team still has challenge of reaching 100 points. “We’re attracted by it because in every match we have to go out to win, above all for the honour of the Club we represent. If we can get there, all the better. For us it’s a challenge. If we can reach 100 points, and beat the Club record (99), all the better”.

Reaching 100 points attracts us, above all for the honour of the Club we represent

The next hurdle in the race to 100 points is the match against Espanyol in the Cornellà-El Prat stadium. “It’s always special to go there because of the rivalry between the two teams and because of the stadium, where there’s always a great atmosphere”.

Barça 2013/14

Piqué believes that this group of players has a lot more to give. “This team’s got a lot more in it. We have to try and keep on winning and taking more trophies. There are some very young players in the squad who are keen to keep on winning. You can always improve. In the year of the treble, we signed four or five players to improve what we already had. If you don’t improve then you fall behind and we have to try and be the best. If you have to press more, do it. If you have to train harder, do it. If you have to try harder, do it. If you have to strengthen the team, the Club knows what has to be done”. And he’s not worried about the possible arrival of another centre half. “I welcome it. The more competition, the better for the team”.

But whatever happens, the team won’t be changing the way they play. “The Barça style isn't negotiable but we have to progress. Sometimes we play with Leo as a false striker with wingers. We have to change things around because our opponents get to know us and that mustn’t happen”.