Barca ready for more rivalry

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes insists playing Espanyol means just as much to his team as ‘El Clasico’ against Real Madrid.

La Liga leaders Barca travel to their cross-city rivals on Saturday with Valdes expecting a hostile atmosphere.

The visitors will be hoping to maintain their 21-match unbeaten run in all competitions, but Valdes is not expecting an easy ride against a well-organised Espanyol team that sits fourth in the table.

“For us, Espanyol and Real Madrid are special opponents, because they are our main rivals,” Valdes said.

“They are both the same.”

“In my career I’ve played in some tough stadiums and last year (at the) Cornella was an intense match.”

“The fans are close to the goalkeeper. But any player likes playing in that kind of stadium, because of the extra motivation given by the atmosphere.”

“Espanyol are a team who pressure well and who keep their lines very high, so it will be a tough game like always. But obviously they can steal the ball from us.”

“We have the advantage of our play having improved continuously, but one day a loss will come. We just hope that it is as far away as possible.”

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola and Spain boss Vicente del Bosque are both in the running for the FIFA coach of the year award.

While Valdes acknowledges del Bosque’s achievement in capturing the 2010 World Cup, the goalkeeper believes Guardiola deserves the prize after bringing successive La Liga titles to the Camp Nou.

“Vicente earned something important that hadn’t been achieved before,” Valdes said.

“He won the World Cup and is a great manager. But I would give it to Pep for everything that he has achieved and for the style of the club that he has implemented. I think that he deserves it.””I would like to continue winning titles with Barcelona, because I love the club. One of the secrets to this is that the manager continues as long as possible.”