Gerard Pique is expecting another tough encounter when Barcelona
head back to Levante in the Copa del Rey.
Gerard Pique is expecting another tough encounter when Barcelona
head back to Levante on Wednesday night.
The Spanish champions were frustrated by Joaquin Caparros' men in
the Primera Division on Sunday, with Pique's goal their only one
in a 1-1 draw.
That point did little to boost their title chances as they slog
it out with the two Madrid clubs, but they will switch their
attention to the Copa del Rey this week as they meet the same
opponents at the quarter-final stage.
They are on the road for the first leg and Pique knows Levante
will make it just as hard for his side.
"I think the game on Wednesday will be similar. They'll close
themselves off at the back, it's not the first time they've
played like that against us," he told his club's official
website.
"It wasn't a great day, we wanted to win but it wasn't meant to
be. We don't feel bad because we created chances - we just didn't
convert them."
Barca's fourth dropped points this season allowed Real Madrid to
close the gap on them at the top to just one point - Atletico are
only a point ahead of Real too - and Carlo Ancelotti's men will
look to continue their form against Espanyol on Tuesday.
They beat Real Betis 5-0 on Saturday - a result which cost Juan
Carlos Garrido his job - with all the goals shared around.
The last of them came from Alvaro Morata, the young striker who
has been linked with Arsenal, but he is keeping his eye on
getting a spot at Real.
"Despite everything that is being said, I'm happy here. I want to
stay. I have spoken with the coach and the club, and I talk every
day with my team-mates," he said.
"If I have to help by playing a few minutes here and there, I'll
do it, but it's even better if I get a few more.
"There are a lot of things being said, but I want to stay here
and keep working hard and improving. I have been at this club for
my whole life and it is the best in the world. The best are here
and I want to help when I am needed."
On Thursday night Atletico square-up to Athletic Bilbao having
seen their hopes of going top dashed with a 1-1 draw against
Sevilla.
Diego Simeone's men have maintained a relentless pace all season
in order to keep Barcelona in check, and their coach refutes any
suggestions they are tiring.
"I do not share the issue of fatigue. When you draw, you have not
lost because the team is tired," he told his club's official
website.
"We found ways (against Sevilla) which means there was creativity
in the game, not exhaustion."
The other last-eight tie pits Real Sociedad against Racing
Santander on Wednesday.
Gerard Pique is expecting another tough encounter when Barcelona
head back to Levante in the Copa del Rey.
Gerard Pique is expecting another tough encounter when Barcelona
head back to Levante on Wednesday night.
The Spanish champions were frustrated by Joaquin Caparros' men in
the Primera Division on Sunday, with Pique's goal their only one
in a 1-1 draw.
That point did little to boost their title chances as they slog
it out with the two Madrid clubs, but they will switch their
attention to the Copa del Rey this week as they meet the same
opponents at the quarter-final stage.
They are on the road for the first leg and Pique knows Levante
will make it just as hard for his side.
"I think the game on Wednesday will be similar. They'll close
themselves off at the back, it's not the first time they've
played like that against us," he told his club's official
website.
"It wasn't a great day, we wanted to win but it wasn't meant to
be. We don't feel bad because we created chances - we just didn't
convert them."
Barca's fourth dropped points this season allowed Real Madrid to
close the gap on them at the top to just one point - Atletico are
only a point ahead of Real too - and Carlo Ancelotti's men will
look to continue their form against Espanyol on Tuesday.
They beat Real Betis 5-0 on Saturday - a result which cost Juan
Carlos Garrido his job - with all the goals shared around.
The last of them came from Alvaro Morata, the young striker who
has been linked with Arsenal, but he is keeping his eye on
getting a spot at Real.
"Despite everything that is being said, I'm happy here. I want to
stay. I have spoken with the coach and the club, and I talk every
day with my team-mates," he said.
"If I have to help by playing a few minutes here and there, I'll
do it, but it's even better if I get a few more.
"There are a lot of things being said, but I want to stay here
and keep working hard and improving. I have been at this club for
my whole life and it is the best in the world. The best are here
and I want to help when I am needed."
On Thursday night Atletico square-up to Athletic Bilbao having
seen their hopes of going top dashed with a 1-1 draw against
Sevilla.
Diego Simeone's men have maintained a relentless pace all season
in order to keep Barcelona in check, and their coach refutes any
suggestions they are tiring.
"I do not share the issue of fatigue. When you draw, you have not
lost because the team is tired," he told his club's official
website.
"We found ways (against Sevilla) which means there was creativity
in the game, not exhaustion."
The other last-eight tie pits Real Sociedad against Racing
Santander on Wednesday.
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