On the eve of the El Clasico, Barcelona Chairman Laporta accepted an exclusive interview with "World Sports News". He expressed his feelings about El Clasico and touched on topics such as head coach Flick's suspension and the canceled Miami game.
Q: Can you send a morale-boosting message to Barcelona fans? What do you think of this match?
Laporta: In the national derby, this is the highest level duel, and the players want to give their best performance. I know our guys are motivated and no matter who comes in, we're going to have a chance. I have no doubt that they will surprise us and we will win at the Bernabeu, as has already happened. For example, it happened last season.
Q: Do you think the team is ready?
Laporta: We are competing for the leader's position, which is an extra motivation. To be honest, I had a meal with the team after training yesterday and I saw that they are very motivated and very focused.
Q: How did Flick accept that he could not direct from the sidelines?
Laporta: The coach knew he couldn't be on the sidelines, even though we made a final appeal and asked for a suspended suspension. Flick's inability to direct from the sidelines has not changed, and Marcus Sorg will replace him. Hans was motivating him and they were both very excited.
Q: It’s unbelievable to be given a yellow card for applauding, isn’t it?
Laporta: I've said it before. I don't mean to criticize the referees, but there are some situations where they really should reflect. It is true that the first yellow card was the referee's decision, but he stayed there and waited for the coach's reaction. When you are shown a yellow card, you will definitely not be happy and happy. To me, this behavior of waiting for a reaction was premeditated behavior that Hill-Manzano could have avoided, but that Flick has more or less accepted.
Q: It must be great to sit in the box at the Bernabeu and watch the team win, right? You have experienced the era of Ronaldinho, Messi, and last season...
Laporta: This is indeed one of the best feelings in life. If you are a Barcelona fan, this scene at the Bernabeu will make you excited and highly focused on the game and the atmosphere. If you end up winning, that's spectacular. I've been lucky and privileged to experience those El Clasicos and more, and it's a really good feeling.
Q: Is it difficult to control your emotions in the box at the Bernabeu?
Laporta: You have to control yourself, but if we win, it's a pleasant torture. Even though people say it's just an ordinary game, it's never an ordinary game, it's a trend-defining game and if we win, and I have no doubt the players will do everything possible to win and put us at the top, that would mark an upward trend.
Q: You don't get tired of watching Barcelona win from that position, do you?
Laporta: No, I will never get tired of it. Watching Barcelona win is a feeling that we as Barcelona fans internalize, and you can feel something more than just a sporting achievement because it goes beyond the sport itself, it is a top-level rivalry. This is wonderful.
Q: How did you accept the cancellation of the Miami game?
Laporta: We abide by La Liga's decision, but what I don't agree with is their statement that this will "tamper with the game." I don't agree with this. Besides, we were already on a winning streak against Villarreal at the Estadio Ceramica. That game was supposed to promote La Liga and also to earn important revenue for the league, which would eventually be given back to the league.
Q: Would that have been a major achievement?
Laporta: What is certain is that we, the participating clubs, would have benefited because it would have brought us sponsorship, which is also a way to promote the image of Barcelona. They suggested it to us and we thought it was a great idea and signed up. The reaction of the Spanish Players' Union, the reaction of the players, and then Real Madrid taking the matter to the Superior Sporting Council, is all respectable and everyone is doing what they think they should do, but I think it's done a disservice to La Liga.
source:7m livescore vn