Barcelona as hungry as ever says captain Puyol

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol believes his side’s 2-1 comeback win over title rivals Valencia at Camp Nou on Saturday showed they had not lost the hunger or quality to retain the league title they have won the past two seasons.

Barcelona had struggled at home winning one of their three league home matches prior to the Valencia game, however, they showed the spirit of champions by coming from a goal down to win 2-1 against a previously-unbeaten Valencia side.

“The team showed that they want to carry on winning and are still hungry,” said Spanish World Cup winner Puyol.

“The most important thing was the reaction because it is when things go wrong that you really need to display character and the team did that.

“We were playing for three very important points. It is always important to get points but after the last few home games they were difficult ones to win and we had to work hard.”

Puyol scored a bullet header on 62 minutes to win the match after Andres Iniesta had cancelled out Pablo Hernandez’s first half opener two minutes after the interval.

Barcelona had scored just two goals in their previous three league matches at Camp Nou and should have scored much more against Valencia with David Villa missing several clear-cut openings.

“We had chances but the important thing is to create them,” said Puyol. “We have top quality players and the goals will come. We’re not worried.”

Barcelona sit joint second with Valencia, one point behind leaders Real Madrid, with their next assignment a Champions League home match against Danish side FC Copenhagen on Wednesday.

Coach Pep Guardiola was delighted with the second half response from his team saluting the mental toughness of his charges against a Valencia side that had collected 16 points from a possible 18 before kick-off.

“In football a lot is the mental side,” said Guardiola. “Nobody can doubt these players and they have shown why again (against Valencia).

“It was a big step forward and winning this type of game gives you great strength. I thought we did very well.

“It was identical to last year. In the opening 45 minutes they were on top, but after that my players produced an extraordinary display and the fans understood so we have won an important game against a great side.

“It takes a lot for us to win games, nothing happens by luck. Valencia are a great team and we have to reduce our mistakes.

“The surprise would be to obtain 99 points like we did last season. Everyone has to remember that the other teams also play.”

Guardiola singled out goalscorer Iniesta for special praise after a stellar peformance and saluted the versatility of the Spanish star.

“He (Iniesta) has unimaginable ability to play in so many positions,” Guardiola enthused. “He has it all.”