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Barcelona Face Hard Task In Europe - Joan Laporta

Barcelona swept their way to three major trophies last term, but repeating their feat in Europe will be tough...

Oct 19, 2009 10:14:42 AM

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Joan Laporta - Barcelona (PA)

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Joan Laporta thinks that retaining the Champions League will be Barcelona's hardest challenge this season, as they are seen as the team to beat after winning the trophy last term.

The Blaugrana president is delighted with the start his team have made having won the European and Spanish Super Cups, but thinks that the holding onto the major cups will take an extra effort.

Barca take on Rubin Kazan on Tuesday night in the Champions League and Laporta hopes that motivation to enjoy the same success again will drive the players on.

"We're on the right track. Both those [Super Cup] victories were hard-earned," he told uefa.com.

"Looking at the UEFA Super Cup, either team – us or Shakhtar Donetsk – could have won, but we got the goal in extra time. This season will be tough, though.

"Our challenge will be to maintain the same motivation as last season. What complicates things is that, as European champions, we are the team to beat.

"On the plus side, this can have the effect of further motivating our players. It will be important for them to continue feeling like champions, to never give up, never stop believing and hold on to their winning feeling.

"The only thing we can predict is that Barca will fight and work hard again. The key is to work, work, work – that is what the team will do.

"Provided we show humility and keep it in our heads that we have to stay strong, then we have the talent to make our dreams come true."

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

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