The defender did not avoid any question and gave clear answers. In spite of the last two results, he has no doubts about the commitment of the players.
Strane sensations: "The defeat in Bilao was very different to the one in Amsterdam. Everyone will have their opinion, but at San Mamés we only conceded one shot on goal (sic), which went in the net. There was also an important refereeing decision which went against us. People have mixed that game up with the Ajax match. We haven't been playing that badly. We played vey well in Bilbao. We can either allow ourselves to sink, or we can lift ourselves up and move forward. We are playing better and better but we aren't growing in confidence. We weren't able to react and we need to imrpove in that sense. We've had ups and downs, like the game in Amsterdam, which was unforgivable."
Were the two defeats just accidents? "No. Barça cannot afford to lose any games, but these are two grounds where it's possible to get a bad result. We need to show that we aren't in a depression and that we are ready to start winning again."
Tello and Montoya: "I understand their situation, but this is Barcelona, and the door is always open for those that don't want to be here."
Copa del Rey match with Cartagena: "We have to play in it and it will be a good opportunity to produce a good performance that will give us confidence."
Crisis: "We are prepared for it. I like criticism to be constructive. Another thing is a lack of respect, such as what happened the other day, when Iniesta was asked if we were training well. We all accept criticism, of course we do. I don't think it's a lack of respect to say that we need to change our squad. I'm confident and I have faith in the team and I'm sure that the results will go our way again, and that we'll compete for trophies."
Are people being unfair on Tata? "I know this club. The level of expectation is the same. He is learning the ropes and he knows how it works. He's a professional and he's been well received by the dressing room. I take my hat off to him."
The team's physical state: "It's imposible for a team to press for the whole game. Before, when we used to have the ball a lot we were able to rest more. Now we find it harder to hold onto the ball because we are playing in a more direct way, but the team still wants to press. We always try to be in prime condition for the final part of the season, when we are playing for trophies. It's impossible to maintain that level for an entire season. We will keep going forward until the end of the season.. The coach has adapted to the methods of Barcelona and has sought support from the people who were already here. We are grateful he has done this and changed his customs. But when it comes to tactics, he calls the shots."
The past: "We have stopped thinking about it. We don't compare ourselves with the team that won six trophies in one year (in 2009). We will lose in every comparison, as Tito said. We're going to take everything step by step and in March and April we'll see where we are and what we aspire to."
Signing a centre-back: "I'm not the person to talk about this. In terms of results, our defence is doing well. We have conceded the fewest amount of goals in the League [along with Atlético]."
Missing the injured players: "Of course we are missing them, but the players that are available need to know that we are Barcelona and we cannot slip up ever again."
Puyol: "He is the best centre-back of the last decade. He is getting older and of course he has had problems in his knee. I'm very confident in him, when you have him alongside you, you feel much more secure."
Margin for improvement: "This always happens, in every job. Now we have lost two games there are many things we could improve on. We have met to talk about the things we need to improve on, and we've said the things we needed to say face to face."
New contract: "We are at the initial stage. We have just had one meeting."
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