Athletic Bilbao centre-back Carlos Gurpegi has admitted he needs to improve ahead of the game with Barcelona this weekend.
The experienced 34-year-old has made defensive errors against both Malaga and Napoli this season but says he is in better shape than this time 12 months ago.
“When you make mistakes it appears you are not playing well, that you are not at the same level as last year.
“Admittedly, I was at fault against both Malaga and Napoli. One cost us the game and with the other one thankfully the ball went out,” he confessed to Mundo Deportivo.
“Nonetheless, I’m feeling fine and have been finishing games, which is better than at the start of last term.
“I know I have to improve. I am very self-critical and I know that I can do better.”
Gurpegi is aware it will be a difficult task to take anything away from the Camp Nou and feels Los Leones will need to stop Luis Enrique’s men playing their normal game.
“We will need to press them further up the field and make them uncomfortable, but above all make sure their wide players don’t get at our full-backs in a two-on-one situation. We have to make them play the ball backwards, otherwise they will be all over us.
“Barca are very dangerous when they have control of the ball facing the opponents’ goal, and even trying to shut them down there will be times when they have it.
“We will have to do a lot of running and be tight at the back,” he cautioned.
