The Barça keeper has praised his manager and the Frenchman, saying they are examples for everyone
He admitted that he hasn’t been feeling perfect since the Valladolid match, but expects to play on Sunday
As for the league, he said “we haven’t even reached the halfway stage, there’s a long way to go”
2013 started with the good news that Tito Vilanova is back in charge of the first team. His embrace with Éric Abidal on Wednesday is an image that was seen all around the world. Speaking at a press conference, Víctor Valdés spoke about how the two men “are examples for everybody. As people, for their personal challenges and as a team mate and a coach … Not just because of what they have gone through but because they give everything for this team. They give us so much strength and energy”.
Not fully fit
He also spoke about his personal situation after missing the Catalonia game with plantar fasciitis. “I could feel some pain after the game with Valladolid and it’s come back, but it’s no trouble and isn’t any limitation for me”, he said, insisting that there is no reason to doubt his availability for Sunday’s derby with Espanyol at 19.00.
Liga still to decide
On that match, Valdés said that “it is always an important match, whether at home or in Cornellà, especially for the local players, who are so used to matches against Espanyol.” But the game is not only a big one in terms of local bragging rights, because the Liga campaign is anything bit done and dusted. “We haven’t even reached halfway yet. We do have a good lead on the teams in second and third, but it’s not at all a definitive one. There is a lot left to play for and a lot of points at stake”.
He also mentioned his contractual situation, whereby he is presently bound to the club until 2014. “I signed an extension in July 2009 and haven’t worried about it until now. And it still doesn’t worry me. There’s plenty of time for that. I’m focused on winning matches and afterwards, time will tell”. But he isn’t counting out the possibility of “trying other cultures, other leagues and other countries in the future”.