Laporta confident of Barcelona mounting comeback vs Atletico – ‘In last three finals we outplayed Real Madrid…’ | OneFootball

Speaking at a campaign event for the FC Barcelona presidency, Joan Laporta shared his thoughts on the team’s chances of winning silverware this season.

The Blaugrana are currently seated at the top of the La Liga table ahead of Real Madrid. They are in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, where they are trailing by four goals to Atletico Madrid after the first leg.

Barça have also qualified for the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, where they will take on Newcastle United, with the draw taking place earlier today.

Laporta on Barcelona’s chances

Discussing the draw during his campaign event, former Barcelona president Laporta underlined the difficulty of facing a Premier League opponent.

“We could have been drawn against PSG or Newcastle, and we ended up with Newcastle. English clubs are very tough, and we know they are always competitive in these competitions,” said Laporta, as quoted by SPORT.

After that initial message, the presidential candidate went on to praise Hansi Flick’s team, saying:

“We know it will be difficult, but we now have a very talented team that is beginning to gain the experience needed to tackle this type of knockout stage.”

Laporta has full confidence in the team’s abilities. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Moving on, Laporta expressed confidence regarding Barcelona’s chances of mounting a comeback against Atletico Madrid in the cup semi-final.

“In the last three finals, we outplayed Real Madrid, and now we can come back on Tuesday against Atletico,” the ex-president said.

On the league title race, he added: “We will win La Liga against all odds and against everyone.”

On the complaint against him

Laporta also discussed the complaint filed against him and his entourage by a Barça socio a few days ago before Spain’s National Court.

“It will not work for them to make false accusations, full of lies, to tarnish an exemplary electoral process like ours,” he said.

Laporta reiterated that these accusations are old and suggested that the member Isidro Navarro, who filed the complaint before the National Court, is not acting alone.

“Now we have an individual who is dedicated to muddying the waters, but other people have already been singing the same old tune and telling the same old stories. Not everything goes when it comes to becoming president,” he said.

“This person does not work alone, he has not done it alone. We defend Barça from those who want to control it from 600 kilometres away, as I have said many times before.”