Barcelona star sidesteps Mourinho controversy and comments on the six-point gap
Eric Garcia chose to duck the issue. The Barcelona defender declined to weigh in on the refereeing row involving Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho.
Speaking to Sport newspaper from the Spain national team camp, Garcia faced questions about the La Liga refereeing controversy and Real Madrid's part in it. He replied: "I prefer not to give my opinion on that."
Pressed further, he went on: "I believe that all referees in the world try to give their best, and try not to make mistakes. In the end, during the match, you as a player also try to give your best, and sometimes you make mistakes. We are human, and so error is part of football."
His coach, he insisted, wants the focus elsewhere. "Our coach Hansi Flick always insists heavily that we focus on ourselves, and that we do not get involved in the subject of referees, who, as I said, try to give their best, and sometimes mistakes happen, as happens all the time in life."
Turning to the team's European ambitions, he added: "We are still at the start of the season, and everything can change very quickly, but we are moving in a good dynamic and we have a wonderful group, and we are proving it, and we have to keep working. Because the Champions League will be difficult, but we certainly have a great desire to win it."
Barcelona have the tools to go far, in his view. "I believe that thanks to the squad, the players, the quality and the ambition, I believe Barcelona will certainly be in the leading positions in the Champions League. We have become more mature, and the arrival of Rodri has helped us with the balance."
Yamal must win the Ballon d'Or
On Lamine Yamal's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or, he confirmed: "I will vote for him, and for every Spanish player too. I think any of them deserves it, but I believe Lamine Yamal should win it."
Eric said: "There are many Spanish players who could win it, but for me personally, I think Lamine should win it. But I'm also happy to have other team-mates among the list of candidates, especially Cubarsi, because he's a defender, and defenders are sometimes forgotten, and I think he deserves it too."
Christensen's injury raised another question: was he ready to return to the heart of the defence if needed? He added: "Yes, I'm ready for anything that's asked of me. I think one of my strengths is my ability to adapt to different positions."
Centre-back remains his natural home. He continued: "Of course, centre-back is my natural position, the one I've always played in, so if I have to play there in one of the matches, I'll certainly do it."
Karim Adeyemi, a "rocket"
He added: "It is said that Barcelona suffer most on the flanks, especially the left side, do you agree with that? No, I think we have players at a good level, and we do not struggle there."
On facing Adeyemi in a footrace, he said: "Is it difficult to beat Adeyemi in a sprint? Yes, in truth he is a rocket."
Turning to the title race, he reflected: "How do you see La Liga after moving 6 points clear of Real Madrid? We all know that football and the league in this situation can change a lot. We are living a good dynamic, but last year, when we lost the Clasico at the Bernabeu, the gap became 7 points, and it seemed as if everything was over."
He concluded: "Now that we are six points ahead, we are still at the start of the season, and we have to continue in the same way, and after that we will see what happens."
