Puyol ready to give everything

Roger Bogunyà

Carles Puyol thinks it’s 50/50 on Monday night, but is confident his team has got what it takes. “Our style never changes” he says. “We’ll give it all we’ve got”.

Carles Puyol has plenty of experience of clásicos against Real Madrid, and says “I can’t remember all the others, but this one seems very even. Both Barça and Madrid are playing well and confidently, and have few injury concerns. We have the advantage of playing at home, but I still think it’s 50/50”.

Danger on the counter

In his press conference, the centre back described the present-day Madrid. “They are very strong in defence, they place themselves well. They have very fast players on the counter and they make all the difference. If you give them space, they are hard to control.” He considers the biggest dangermen to be Higuaín, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“We’re not playing against Mourinho”

He wasn’t keen on talking much about rival coach José Mourinho. “We are not playing against Mourinho. We are playing against Real Madrid, who have a great coach and also great players.” Puyol said he has had little contact with him since he became a head coach, but “his results speak for themselves”.

The fans’ role

Puyol reiterated that this is a special match that’s incomparable with any others. “Nothing motivates us more. Madrid is always an important match … but the league will not be decided by this game”.

He also said that the fans “support Barça all the time and it helps them to forget other things”. Puyol reiterated that this is a special match that’s incomparable with any others. “Nothing motivates us more. Madrid is always an important match … but the league will not be decided by this game”.

He also said that the fans “support Barça all the time and it helps them to forget other things”.