A distant dream and a European priority: Laporta makes explosive statements about Barcelona's season
The Barça president is optimistic after the strong start
Barcelona president Joan Laporta is bursting with optimism about his side's start to the current season, insisting the Catalan club has everything it needs to compete for every title, with the Champions League at the top of the list.
Laporta attended the traditional wreath-laying ceremony in front of the Rafael Casanova monument, marking Catalonia's national day. Barcelona turn up for it every year.
Keen to stay grounded, the Barcelona president warned against getting carried away by the strong start. As highlighted by "Sport", he said: "We must keep our feet on the ground, as the season has only just begun."
He soon showed just how upbeat he really is, adding: "We hope to continue at this level, with great commitment. And to win this year, you have to run. The commitment of the team and the club is a great sign."
Praise for Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal's comments about the importance of running and pressing during matches drew a warm response from Laporta, who praised the maturity of the young star despite his age.
He said: "What Lamine says at the age of 19 deserves a lot of appreciation, as his maturity is remarkable. He is a clear example of the need for the team to stay focused and not feel relaxed, in order to fight for everything."
For Laporta, the mood of optimism inside Barcelona is fully justified, above all because the squad is strong and balanced. "We have a very competitive and balanced squad, and Deco has done a great job," he insisted. "Everyone must be fully focused, as we have a lot of quality and can form two competitive teams, and there is no room to relax."
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The quadruple dream
Laporta made no secret of just how high Barcelona are aiming this season, insisting the club is chasing every trophy on offer.
The Barcelona president said: "We are candidates to win titles. Our goals this year are to win the league, the Copa del Rey, the Super Cup, and the Champions League. We must always maintain the team's spirit, and thinking this way will lead us to winning titles."
Not since 2015 have Barcelona swept these titles in a single year, when they were crowned under Luis Enrique with the league, the cup, the Champions League, the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup, then later added the Spanish Super Cup.
A European priority
Ambitious across the board though he is, Laporta did not hide the special place the Champions League holds in his thinking. "We have a special enthusiasm to win the Champions League," he said.
Those comments come amid the team's strong start under Hansi Flick, which has strengthened the board's confidence in Barcelona's ability to compete hard at home and in Europe. The desire to reclaim a European title absent from the cabinet since 2015 is clear.
