Andres Iniesta has admitted that Barcelona’s League situation is very good, but has warned that it would be easy to get complacent.
The Catalans find themselves beginning the new year still unbeaten in La Liga and, having only dropped two points all season, nine points clear of Atletico Madrid in second and 16 points clear of last year’s champions Real Madrid.
“Every season it is a story that may seem very similar and we are almost all the same players. This season we are motivated as last year we fought to the end for the League and the Champions League,” explained Iniesta when asked by Catalunya Radio for why the team were so strong at the moment.
“When things do not go for you, you try that extra to reverse the situation. The team is doing very well and I am confident that we can arrive at the end of the season at our best for every competition.
“Have we won the League yet? We would be wrong to think that. No doubt we have been very good, to be happy at this point would be easy.
“But I am convinced that if we think that then we will suffer. The team needs to be good and continue with its mindset and intensity that we can otherwise lose.”
The 28-year-old will find out on Monday if he has won the FIFA Ballon d’Or, which he has been shortlisted for alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“The good things that happen to you motivate you to continue to grow, that’s my point of view always. I do not ever lose that aim for anything, whether good or bad. In the bad moments you have to be calm and find a point of balance.
“I appreciate that my game is valued, my way of doing things. I feel privileged to be there when there are players at such a great level. We all look forward to being there.
“In the end, we all know that we are elected, but each teammate has a piece because we must not forget that it is a collective game and one without the other cannot achieve anything.”
Iniesta was asked of how he took the news that Coach Tito Vilanova had suffered a relapse in his recovery from a tumour in his salivary gland.
“Like everything in life, when there is a blow, it is hard to take, you have to draw strength from where it is, and if anything fight even more for those that do not have the strength or the health that we may have. You have to take a positive stance and pull from the front.”
The midfielder was also asked if he too, like a number of his teammates, had been in talks with the club over a new contract.
“Having a life here would be nice, because I was 12 when I started and to finish here would be very special. At the moment we are not talking, but I do not think it is difficult to understand, when the club wants you and you want to be there then there is not much that needs to be said.”
