Barcelona will reign in Europe, says Puyol
Puyol led the Catalan outfit to Champions League glory against Arsenal in Paris in 2006 and is confident Frank Rijkaard’s men can triumph again in Moscow.
It would be a third success for Barcelona in Europe’s premier club competition, the first coming at Wembley in 1992.
“I see myself lifting the third Champions League trophy,” the Spain defender said ahead of tonight’s Champions League quarter-final second leg clash at home to Schalke.
“I always think positive. If it’s not me, then it should be a team-mate who lifts the trophy. That should be the mentality of the team. This is an important competition and we all want to regain it.”
Barcelona are in pole position to progress after winning the first leg in Gelsenkirchen 1-0.
But the Barca skipper insists his side will have to work hard to progress. “We all know the importance of the game. We have to show the right attitude from the first moment.”
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard praised his captain’s attitude and desire to win the Champions League once more.
He said: “I like what our captain said. It is important to want and believe that we can achieve our objectives.
“Tomorrow’s game will be very interesting and we have to prove ourselves on the pitch.”
Rijkaard also brushed aside a barrage of questions on his future and insisted he was not thinking about leaving Barcelona.
“I am fine here in Barcelona. I have not had contact with anybody else. We are working hard as always to achieve important things,” he said.
Rijkaard will be without injured quartet Deco, Lionel Messi, Oleguer and Ronaldinho for Wednesday night’s match.
Speculation over Ronaldinho’s future has been rife, but the coach denied the Brazilian has played his last game for the club.
“I think Ronaldinho represented much in international football, it is a pity he is not with us now and I hope he will be soon. I cannot predict the future, but I think he still has a contract (and will be here next season),” he said.
Rijkaard also defended under-fire striker Thierry Henry.
“He has scored important goals and made assists. He is a great player and I am happy with him,” he added.
Schalke insist they are also approaching the game with confidence with coach Mirko Slomka claiming they do not need “a miracle”. “Barcelona are a very good team with some very good players, but we are coming here to try and win the game,” Slomka said.
“To say it will be a miracle would be an exaggeration.
“If the players give everything and play a good game individually and collectively, we definitely can win the match and go through.”
The 40-year-old manager hopes his side can soak up Barcelona’s early pressure on Wednesday.
“They will be under a lot of pressure to win the game. We have to resist the pressure in the first half and it is very important that we are strong in the second half,” he said.
“We are a good team in Europe, we are going to try to put them off their game and cause them problems. We need to play a good game and I want to see good performances from my players.”
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