Barca keeps faith in Champions League fightback
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FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta repeated his conviction this Monday that his side can overcome the 3-1 defeat suffered against Inter Milan in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal.
Last week's defeat in Italy came after Barcelona's long coach journey to Milan as a result of the air traffic chaos caused by the Icelandic volcano.
It has left Barcelona needing to win by at least two goals against Inter in the second leg, which will be played in the Camp Nou Stadium this Wednesday, but Laporta is confident his team can reach the final of the Champions League for the second year in succession.
"We are going to have total unity among everyone at the club and it could be a historic fightback," he said on Spanish national television.
The players took to the pitch ahead of Saturday's 3-1 win against Xerez wearing t-shirts asking the fans to get behind them and Laporta defended the decision.
"More than a call to action, it was communication. It was to tell the public that we are going to give everything," he explained, before highlighting the team's achievements.
In the past year Barcelona has won everything it is possible to win, lifting six trophies in 2009. Barca is currently top of Spain's BBVA Primera Liga and one game away from returning to the final of the Champions League.
"The players deserve an ovation. Our main aim was to maintain the level of motivation after all that we have won and the side has shown a real spirit of sacrifice. If we end the season having won nothing, we won't be happy, but neither will I be complaining," said the Barca president.
Laporta also made reference to the two former players, Samuel Eto'o and Thiago Motta, who play for Wednesday's rival. Eto'o only left the club last summer in a controversial deal that saw Zlatan Ibrahimovich join Barcelona.
"I want to think of them as old friends. Eto'o is a great friend and we have a lot of affection for him," concluded Laporta.
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