Marc Bartra has revealed that he has a “huge desire to get my way” at Barcelona ahead of the new La Liga season.
The defender had been tipped to leave La Blaugrana earlier in the summer after he fell to fourth choice in the centre-back pecking order last term but ultimately decided to stay put, his partner giving birth to a baby girl on Wednesday.
“I have a huge desire to get my way. I want to succeed at Barca,” he told reporters.
“[On recently becoming a father], I'm going through a very beautiful stage in my life, both personally and professionally.
“Right now, physically I'm not yet what I was last season, but I feel good and believe we'll improve in our upcoming matches.
“The most difficult thing is the mental aspect, but I have a new life and feel I can improve both [personally and professionally] to help the team.
“I'll do everything I can to help the team. I'll train hard to be a starter. I have lots of energy, worked well during pre-season and I'm full of positivism going forward.
“We made many mistakes [in the Super Cups], some individual, but [the defensive frailties] are things that only happen in very short bursts.
“The past week and a [since the 5-0 first-leg defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the Supercopa] has left us with a small margin to improve.
“The team know they must improve on certain things. There are players who are still working on restoring their fitness levels and hopefully mental levels too.
“It's not normal to play three times in quick succession with the same team, but every game is different.
“The past is the past. Now, we must defend La Liga, be prepared for what lies ahead and go for it.
“[Pedro Rodriguez and Xavi Hernandez] are unique players, who have given [Barca] a lot.
“I have a lot of appreciation for them, on the pitch, in the dressing room and outside football.
“[On new signings], it's a question for the coaching staff. Pedro no longer being here will give more prominence to other players.
“I know [Munir El Haddadi] is is a great player who knows the club and will give us many options in attack.
“[On La Liga now being played over New Year], it's different but we must behave in a professional manner as always.
“When we play, we must always go for it, train hard and think about the next game.”
