Bartomeu: Barca can defend CL

Josep Maria Bartomeu is confident that Barcelona have what it takes to become the first club in the Champions League era to retain the European cup.

No team since the inception of the Champions League in 1992 has successfully defended the trophy, but the President, while under no illusions as to the difficulty of the task at hand, feels his team have every chance of making yet more history.

“We know it’s difficult, but we must try to win everything,” he told Barca TV.

“We’ve assembled ​​a team capable of winning six trophies, and I think it’s a goal within our reach.

“Hopefully we can defend the Champions League, something that no-one has done. We have a team capable of doing so.

“We renewed Pedro [Rodriguez’s] contract. I sometimes read that he plays little, and that’s true, but he’s part of the club’s history. He was part of the first treble and now the second, plus Adriano brings a lot to the squad.

“I immediately thought of [Robert Fernandez for the sporting director role] in January. I know him well.

“Throughout the years, we’ve had a footballing relationship and sometimes I’d ask for his advice or he’d help us bring in a player.

“He is honest, very quiet and has a clear understanding of the football club.

“[On the punishment handed down from UEFA regarding the show of pro-Catalan independence flags during the Champions League final], it’s unfair.

“We’ll get to the bottom of this issue. We’re socis and we have a right to the freedom of expression.

“We’re a democratic club and I, as President, will never censor a socio of the club because they say what they see fit.

“I think the expression of feelings and ideas must be totally free.”

Tags Adriano Josep Maria Bartomeu Pedro Rodriguez
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