Iniesta tips tough 2011 for Barcelona

Andres Iniesta believes Barcelona may have a hard year ahead of them, despite their all-conquering finish to 2010.

Barca defended their La Liga crown last season and fell narrowly short of successive Champions League triumphs, losing to Inter Milan in the semi-finals.

The first half of the 2010/11 season passed in equally impressive fashion.

The Catalan giants brushed aside all before them, with a 5-0 demolition of arch-rivals Real Madrid the highlight.

And while few would back against them collecting yet more trophies at the end of the season, midfield maestro Iniesta has warned against complacency when the campaign resumes at home to Levante on Sunday.

“We are really motivated to begin the year well, but there is a hard 2011 ahead of us,” Iniesta said.

“We can’t guarantee titles or even that we will repeat the successes of 2010, but I can assure you that we will be doing our very best to get to the end of this season with our chances still intact to win everything. I am certain that the team won’t let anybody down.”

“I hope the good things continue … and I stay fit enough to train and play well. The last 12 months have been a time to get back to normal after my injuries.”

“We have to continue where we left off before the break. We put in some great games, including the win over Madrid which everyone will remember us for.”

Barca will have a new recruit to call on as they go in search of a third successive La Liga crown in 2011, with exciting Dutch prospect Ibrahim Afellay completing his move from PSV Eindhoven.

“He’ll be an important player for us, he’s got a lot of talent, quality and he’s got a lot going for him,” Iniesta said of the 24-year-old attacking midfielder.

“We’ll try and help him settle in as quickly as possible.”