Gerard Pique has asserted that he wants to exert revenge on Real Madrid in the Champions League final this season.
Barca lost 2-1 to Madrid in the Clasico over the weekend, a result which ended their 39-match unbeaten run and cut their lead on Los Blancos to seven points, leaving Pique determined to get back at his side’s arch-rivals on the biggest stage of all.
“[Tuesday’s] game is very important,” he said at a Press conference ahead of the Catalans’ Champions League quarter-final first leg against Atletico Madrid.
“After Saturday, it’d be good to have a good match. We’ll look to score as many goals as we can.
“We have the all the desire to bounce back, especially from a bad game like the Clasico.
“Physically and mentally, we’re fine. [Tuesday] is a unique opportunity to have a great game.
“I’m convinced that we’ll win the League. We have a great team.
“Until 1-1, we controlled them. They came at us once in the second half, and in the second, we doubted whether to go for the game or not.
“When you don’t know exactly how to play, [Saturday] happens. They took their chances, but we dominated the first 65 minutes.
“We don’t need reminders. We know how difficult it is to win every day. No-one is more confident in us than ourselves.
“We have a brutal challenge ahead, which is to win the treble again. We really want it, and [Tuesday] is the first step.
“[Tuesday] will be more difficult than Saturday’s game, but in the end, if it boils down to us, we’re unstoppable.
“It’ll be an even tie, but we have to assume that we’re a touch more the favourites than them.
“We’re very well physically. The international games aren’t an excuse because the same thing happened to Madrid.
“I’d still like Real Madrid in a Champions League final. The Catalans tend to be negative [after defeats], but we’re still in a very good spell and they have to trust us.
“It’s the legacy of [Johan] Cruyff. He arrived as a Coach in 1988, when Barca winning at Madrid saved their season. Now the roles have changed.
“Saturday’s game is forgotten. To me, what matters to me is winning the Champions League and La Liga.
“Even if we’d won, I wouldn’t have gone on Periscope. You’ll see why. On Tuesday I won’t either. There’s been a change of plan.
“Neymar will not leave Barca. I know him and he won’t leave, period.
“The front three are on another level. They’ll be back on Tuesday and Saturday and the next. We’re lucky to have them, so we’ll enjoy them while we can.
“[On Marc-Andre ter Stegen threatening to leave], he’s at Barca! No-one would want to leave this city, this club or these fans.
“I expect a pretty similar game against Atletico to the one a few weeks ago.
“We hope to score several goals, but we know the danger they pose. Having [Diego] Godin back is essential for them.”
