Adriano: “The squad is very excited and ambitious to win the Cup again”

The Brazilian number 21 spoke to the media after training this morning and insisted that the squad were totally focused on Wednesday’s game against Osasuna and determined to fight to win the only title they gave up last year.

The Brazilian praised Josep Guardiola, thanks to whom he believes: “people all over the world can now see the game in a different way”.



The squad have started the New Year just as they finished the old –full of ambition. That was the message from Adriano this afternoon, who insisted the players are totally centred on the first game of 2012 – the Cup tie against Osasuna on Wednesday at the Camp Nou: "I really want to win the Cup with Barça. We missed out last season and now we have another opportunity. We'll need to put in a big performance because the return game will be very tough," according to Adriano, who also revealed: "we want the treble again this season."

Adriano is clear that 2012 will be just as hard and maybe even harder than 2011: "Real Madrid will always be up there and we'll be going head to head with them until the end of the season, that's for sure. Our aim is to reach the finals of all the competitions and that's what we will keep on trying to do." There's the mouth-watering prospect of a two legged quarter final meeting between Barça and Madrid if they both get through this round, but Adriano is taking things one step at a time: "we know what could happen, but the most important thing now is the tie against Osasuna, then we'll just have to wait and see if it's Madrid or Malaga in the next round."

Looking to Wednesday's game, Adriano also warned against any expectations of the 8-0 result against Osasuna earlier this season: "obviously nobody wants to lose by that score again and in the Cup things are different – teams go all out for a win." Asked about Messi's chances of making the game, Adriano explained: "we all want him on the pitch, but that's up to the boss and the player to decide if he's 100%."

Finally, Adriano praised his manager Josep Guardiola: "since I arrived here, I have learnt so much from him. He's like a father, a very important person in the group. I think he will stay and let's hope so. He's changed football and people all over the world can now see this game in a different way thanks to him." (via FCBarcelona.cat)