Victor Valdes: Barcelona Taking One Game At A Time

The Spanish goalkeeper has been part of the Barcelona defence that has conceded just eleven goals in the Primera Division this season, and has been a consistent performer since his breakthrough into the first team in 2002.

His club started the new year in a similar way to how they finished 2008, winning 3-1 at home at Real Mallorca last night, with Thierry Henry, Yaya Toure and a returning Andres Iniesta grabbing the goals, but Mallorca made life extremely difficult for the champions elect throughout.

The win put the Camp Nou side 12 points clear of second-placed Valencia in the table, and although the gap is a substantial one, Valdes is the latest Barcelona member of staff to approach the situation with an air of caution.

He told journalists, "At the moment we are only thinking of the next game. If you do not then you can lose your advantage.  We suffered two years ago because of this, and we take this approach for realism."

Valdes also took the opportunity to welcome back midfield maestro Andres Iniesta, who was missed the last two months with a thigh injury, but returned with a crucial goal last night when the scoreline was locked at 1-1. He was not short on praise for his team-mate, declaring him 'the best player in the world'

He continued, "I do not say this because he is one of my friends, but in a few years he has had a very high progression, and for me he is already the best in the world."

Also receiving praise for his displays recently is Thierry Henry, who appears to have found a new lease of life under Pep Guardiola, and Valdes commented that the Frenchman is 'scoring important goals, and helping in all facets of the game.'

The Blaugrana's next outing is against Atletico Madrid in the Copa Del Rey this week.

Paul Macdonald