Ivan Rakitic today singled out Edin Džeko as one of the players Barcelona must be wary of when they begin their defense of the Champions League trophy in Rome on Wednesday evening.
The Croatian midfielder was full of praise for Rudi Garcia’s well-organised team when he spoke to Barca TV but insisted that regardless of the opposition, Barca won’t be changing their footballing philosophy…
How do Barcelona come into Wednesday’s match?
“The same as usual. We’re always happy to come into work and we’re very pleased with the way things are going. We know we’ll face a tough match in Rome but we want to continue
this rich vein of form. It would be a big statement.”
What has Luis Enrique told you about Roma?
“They’re a very well-known club, not much needs to be said. They’ve really strengthened. It’s the first match of the group stage, so it’s very important. We’ll play in a full stadium and the fans will get behind their team. It’ll be a great game of football and we’ll do our best. Our footballing philosophy doesn’t change and we hope to win the match.”
Where do Roma’s strengths lie?
“We played them recently in the Gamper Trophy and you could see they’re an organized, strong side. It won’t be easy but we want to take the game to them. We have to focus on our own performance, have confidence and play well over the course of 90 minutes.”
The Giallorossi have brought in some big new players since you met in the Gamper Trophy. What impact do you think they’ve had?
“They’re a very organized side. Like many Italian teams, they know what to do at every stage of the game. They’ve really strengthened up front with Džeko, one of the best strikers in the world. We have to be ready in every area of the pitch because they’re a top side and we can’t give anything away.”
What are Barcelona’s targets after last season’s perfect campaign?
“We have the ambition and desire to make more history. No one has ever won this competition two years in a row and we’d love to be the first to do so. But let’s take things one step at a time. Let’s perform well in our first match and get through the group. We’ll try to go far in the competition, one step at a time, and raise our game when we need to.”
How much of a role did Luis Enrique play in your perfect campaign last season?
“He deserves huge credit. The coach is the one who puts across his ideas and works with us. It’s important for us to know what to do at every stage of the game. He prepares us very well and leaves us in no doubt. We work hard and we’re very happy to train under him. It’s very important that there’s a good relationship between the coaching staff and players. We’re all fully committed and everyone wants to play their part.”
Everyone has you as favorites to win Group E. How do you assess the group?
“This is the Champions League. Other people make us favorites. We have to approach every match with the same intensity and enthusiasm and that’s what we’ll do. We have the utmost respect for our opponents. Roma have strengthened a great deal and I’ve got friends who play for them. It will be a very tough group. We’ll give it everything and we want to make progress in the competition.”
Which teams are best placed to make it to the final in Milan?
“It’s still a long way off. What matters at the moment is taking things one step at a time. We need to play well, get off to a good start in the group stage and keep maximum focus in all our games. We’ll do all we can to be in the mix and repeat what we achieved last season.”
What do you make of Serie A and Italian football?
“I’ve always liked it. I’ve always followed Serie A because geographically it’s not far from Switzerland and Croatia. It’s a very strong league which has gone through a tough period but we’ve seen the results of the efforts clubs have made this summer. A number of my team-mates in the national team now play their football there. I keep an eye on how they’re doing and wish them all the best, except when they play us of course.”
