FC Barcelona in merely a few hours will lock horns with Girona in what promises to be an enthralling affair between the two Catalan sides.
Ahead of the highly anticipated encounter, President Joan Laporta spoke in an interview with Catalunya Radio, via SPORT, touching upon subjects related to the club and the forthcoming clash.
Having acquired Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix on loan last summer, Laporta confirmed the club’s intention to make their stay permanent after the campaign, stating negotiations will take place with their parent clubs eventually.
“We are very satisfied and Deco already has a strategy for when we think it is appropriate to talk to Atlético and City and stay with them,” he said.
“They are both having a great season and we are sure that they will progress more and more I hope that if Xavi puts them on tonight, they will continue to do very well,” he added.
Barcelona loaned out Eric Garcia and Pablo Torre to Girona last summer. However, Torre will not be participating tonight due to a fear clause inserted in the deal and Girona’s refusal to pay a sum that would allow for his involvement.
Commenting on Torre’s situation, Laporta remarked:
“Pablo Torre could play, but if Girona pays the stipulated money (€300,000 ), we also pay money for (the transfer of) Oriol Romeu”.
Regarding Eric Garcia, Joan Laporta said, “Eric is a professional who will try to play a good game and I hope he does because he is our player. May Eric play a good game and may Barça win.”
Aleix Garcia, who currently plies his trade with Girona, recently praised Barcelona and stated that he would love to play for the Blaugranes in an interview.
When asked to give his insight on the words of Aleix Garcia, Laporta refused to talk about such hypotheticals, claiming:
“I like the Barça players, although they have a great team, but these things only create some confusion. We have a very competitive squad and an extraordinary coach, and the team plays more and more better when the ball enters Xavi’s system.”
Remaining cautiously optimistic, Laporta expressed his desire to see Barcelona pick up all three points, mentioning, “I’m not a cheerleader but I do want a result, whatever it may be, but with a victory for Barça.”
However, the president exhibited his reverence for Girona, acknowledging them as a rival but also a friend.
“It is a rival and also a friend. Just because it is Girona, it is a team to which we have sympathy and a feeling of belonging, but it is still a rival and a way to respect it (is to compete with it) because it also has less pressure than us,” he remarked.
Yesterday, Real Madrid dropped points against Real Betis, which provides Barcelona with the ideal opportunity to close the distance between the Merengues now.
“We, after yesterday’s draw (between Betis and Real Madrid), are interested in winning, more than anyone else,” Laporta said.
