Iniesta: "UEFA Best Player? I'd have chosen differently..."
The skipper insisted that there is no ill feeling between Barça's goalkeepers and looked ahead to tomorrow's meeting with Liverpool: "Klopp's one of the best coaches of the past few years".
Andrés Iniesta answered questions from the media after Friday's session and looked forward to Barcelona's meeting with Liverpool at Wembley.
What memories do you have of Wembley?
It's always nice to return to big stages likes Wembley. It's also the chance for me to gain my first minutes of the pre-season so I'm looking forward to giving the lads a hand and let's hope we can gain another win.
Barça have an oversupply of players competing for three midfield places...
I think it's positive to have so many players with so much quality and talent. A lot of our midfielders can swicth positions. Healthy competition makes the squad stronger and that's what we all want. All of us have to assume our responsibility so that we can be in with a chance of winning silverware at the end of the season and to be able to do that we need players who can come into the side at a moment's notice.
How is the competition between Ter Stegen and Bravo for the goalkeeper's position affecting the rest of you?
I don't really know what you're getting at. It's no different from how it's always been. They're comepting for their place like we all are and it's just the same as it has been in previous years.
Is this the best Barça squad you can remember?
My feeling is that they players who are coming though are at a very high level - they are young players who have been important within their previous sides. Being at Barça makes them grow. Every year we are obliged to be the best team and last season we couldn't compete for every trophy which is why we have had to bring in new players.
What do you think of the UEFA Best Player in Europe shortlist, which doesn't include Messi or Luis Suárez?
People vote, and everyone will have their own reasoning. I congratulate those are have been shortlisted. I personally would have chosen others, but there's not a great deal more I can say on the matter
Is Barça's objective this year winning the Champions League?
The objective is to win every competition we are involved in. That's how it is at Barça. We have been battling to win everything for the past few years and we have enough depth in the squad to continue doing that - but as always, taking one step at a time and seeing how far we get.
What do you think of Jürgen Klopp as a manager?
The work he has done so far has been really good. He took Borussia Dortmund to the very top and he joined Liverpool at a time which wasn't easy but has managed to put the team back on track. He's one of the best coaches to have emerged in the past few years.
And what do you make of Julen Lopetegui being appointed national team coach?
I don't know him personally but it's clear that he has a lot of experience working with the youth categories with the national team and at club level; he was also a player himself, so I think he has the education reuqired and his ideas clear. This stage is going to be the start of a new era for all of us and let's hope we can return to compete at the highest level and go as far as we can.
Do Barça really need a fourth striker when they have Munir?
Munir has always been part of our squad and we have always counted on him, whether anyone new comes in or not. The Technical Secretary is keeping an eye on what is happening in the transfer market. The situation isn't easy but it's always a motivating factor for any player to join Barça and if someone comes on board, they will be one more member of the squad.
¿Cómo afronta el Gamper?
Es la presentación del equipo con las caras nuevas y es el partido del club por tradición. Ojalá tenga una gran entrada.
