Piqué: “I’m sure this year is going to be another great year”
Only two days have passed since FC Barcelona won the Supercopa de España, and there are three days to go until the club face Shakhtar Donetsk to try to capture the European Supercup. The imminent chance for a second of six trophies has given defender Gerard Piqué reason to be very optimistic about the season.
The club last played in the European Supercup, a match contested between the winners of the two major European trophies, in 2006 but were bossed by then UEFA Cup winners Sevilla and ended up losing 3-0. The loss paved the way for two consecutive seasons without winning a major trophy.
However Piqué believes that this FC Barcelona of Pep Guardiola has “learned the lesson”.
“Surely the same thing won’t hapen,” the Catalan defender claimed. “Given the dressing room and the manager it is impossible that it will happen again. We may win or lose the European Supercup, but I am sure this year is going to be another great year”.
“Everyone is sure to work to keep winning titles, and that’s why I think that it is impossible that the events of 2006 will repeat themselves, although I was not in the team”.
Piqué acknowledge that his side is “favourites to win,” and commented that the added pressure may make it harder for the European champions, however made a comparison to the Supercopa de España ties where the club was favourite but came out on top in both legs.
He also made it clear that the team would try to win every trophy it enters.
“Winning titles only creates more desire to win because of the excitement and pride that it results in”.
FC Barcelona have shown serious interest in Shakhtar defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy, although Piqué admitted that he knows “little” about the player. But he agreed that “if both the coach and Txiki [Begiristain] are targeting him then he has the level for Barça”.
Piqué finished by commenting on the possible renewal of Guardiola’s contract beyond this season. The defender declared that if it was up to him, Pep “would be kept for life,” because it allowed the consolidation of the first team. “However the decision is his to make,” he concluded.