Brazil´s Alves ready for Barca debut

Brazil international defender Dani Alves denies he feels under pressure at Catalan giants Barcelona, despite being the most expensive pre-season signing at a club that has won no silverware for two seasons.

“There is no need to be anxious because there is not long before my debut and that wouldn't be good for me,” he said in an interview released on the club's website Sunday.

“We have to share the pressure. I have come to Barcelona to enjoy football and the grandeur of this team. I hope we can change the image of the last two years.”

In their first competitive match of the new season, Barca face Beitar Jerusalem or Poland's Wisla Krakow in the third qualifying round of the Champions League on August 12 or 13.

“We have to take (the tie) seriously because we know we aren't in the real Champions League yet. The team is working hard and that's the way to go if we want to do big things.”

He said he is looking forward to his Nou Camp debut “more than any other game.”

Alves, 25, an attacking right back who can also play in midfield, has started every pre-season game and appears to be a regular part of new coach Pep Guardiola's plans.

He joined Barca last month in a deal worth 29 million euros with a further six million on offer depending on results, the most expensive of the club's five pre-season signings.

The others were Belarus international midfielder Alexander Hleb from Arsenal, Malian Seydou Keita from Sevilla, Spaniard Gerard Pique from Manchester United and Uruguay's Martin Caceres from Villarreal.

Barcelona have gone two seasons without any trophies, which led to coach Frank Rijkaard being sacked and replaced by Guardiola for this season.