The FC Barcelona centre-back sits down with UEFA.com ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League match to discuss all things blaugrana
Gerard Piqué, one of the pillars of FC Barcelona, gave a wide-ranging interview with UEFA.com before the Catalans take on Arsenal this Wednesday in the second leg of their last-16 tie. Piqué provided insightful answers to a host of questions about current events surrounding the team.
On the team’s objectives:
“There is a lot of work and three very hard months ahead. We’ll try to win it all again because it is up to us. We will give everything to do it in the best possible way. Winning is a must here, and not just winning, but playing well. We have a once-in-a-lifetime generation of incredibly talented players and we have to maximise it. Later, when we’re gone, the people will decide whether we have left an important legacy or not.”
On the 37-game unbeaten streak:
“It is not easy. In the end, it’s a lot of games and you play for a club that obligates you to always win. You have to find the motivation and desire to win every match. It doesn’t matter whether you’re playing a team in the relegation zone or a team like Arsenal. Here, there is no difference.”
On being more comfortable on the counterattack:
“We have more ways to play. We still want to control the ball, possession, and the tempo. We always have more scoring chances, but we are also comfortable defending and going out on the counterattack. The first goal at Arsenal was a pretty clear example. Before it was tougher for us to stay back and defend. We have three players up front who are very fast and they can take advantage of any counter.”
On the team’s ability to constantly outdo itself:
“Greatness is determined by each person’s will. You have to challenge yourself to get better every day. Messi will always be Messi, but you have feel like you’re improving, contributing more, that you are more and more important to the team and that they can win more titles thanks to you. Greatness is improving every day. You cannot remain satisfied with the best version of you from two or three years ago. This is the team’s goal and the objective is to do it.”
On the titles won:
“Using my common sense, there has been no club which has won more than Barça. The important thing is to be happy to have led a life in which these experiences were possible. We should be proud of what we have done.”
Piqué celebrates his last goal, which came against Sevilla. / VÍCTOR SALGADO-FCB