Iniesta focussed on Almeria

Roger Bogunyà

Andrés Iniesta reckons that it is “an obligation” on the players to put the Real Madrid game out of their minds: “we have to focus exclusively on the Almeria game right now” he told reporters earlier today.

The midfielder insisted that: “the three points at Almeria are just as valid as the three points for beating Madrid. I don’t think it’s too hard for us to put the Madrid game out of our minds. We all know what the fixture list is, but our obligation right now is to focus on the Almeria game this weekend”.

Upbeat
Iniesta was also upbeat about the team’s current form: “I don’t think you ever reach 100% or perfect form, you just have to keep on improving. Right now we are good and we have to make the most of that, whilst also hoping we will continue to get even better”.

Iniesta also explained that he had no news about the fitness of his fellow Spanish international Gerard Piqué, who came off at half time on Wednesday with a slight twinge: “I really don’t know if it was an injury or just a little thing. I hope it was just a twinge and he’s fit for Saturday”.

“A great looking tie”
This lunchtime’s draw has also given the squad something to look forward to and Iniesta commented: “it’s a great looking tie. Bilbao are always a complicated team to play against and with playing the second leg away from home even more so, but we’ll have to see how it goes. They are always dangerous in the Cup”.

“Afellay has a lot of quality”
Iniesta was also asked about Barça’s possible winter signing Ibrahim Afellay and he revealed: “I’ve seen him and if he comes it’s because he’s needed and the club and the technical staff see him as a good player for the team. I know he has a lot of quality and he’s still young, so this will be a great place for him to grow”.