Jonatan Giráldez expects 'a similar Benfica'
Barça are about to begin the defence of their European title, and they're doing it against Benfica at the Estadi Johan Cruyff on Tuesday. Coach Jonathan Giráldez and player Mapi León both spoke to the press about how much they are looking forward to taking on the Portuguese side in a big week that also includes the Clásico against Real Madrid this coming Sunday.
It will be the manager's 100th game in charge, and he said “we have played them before and people will have drawn conclusions from those as to who is the better side. But this is still a very early stage of the competition, and it is far too early to be talking about who is going to win this competition. The most important thing for us is to please the fans, and we hope plenty of people come along to the stadium."
The coach also confirmed that Patri Guijarro is fit and able to make her return.
Clásico not yet the concern
Mapi added that “we are keen to start a competition that we've all been looking forward to. We don't like to be regarded as 'greats' but we have certainly earned the right to be considered that."
"As far as the bigger picture goes, all that matter for now is the game with Benfica. The Clásico is one further game for us, although it is obviously an important one. But our preparations are just the same whether or not we have two big matches in the same week."