Puyol: "I’m pleased with how I felt on the pitch, but not with the final result”

FC Barcelona captain, Carles Puyol, was the center of attention as he returned to competitive play after nearly seven months on the sidelines due to injury. He was named to the starting line-up in his first match back with the team and after the match he admitted that he felt comfortable on the pitch: “These last couple of months have been complicated, but I’ve been training with the team for days, I’m pleased with how I felt on the pitch, but not with the final result.”

When asked about the goalless draw in Pamplona, Puyol said: “We knew that this is a difficult stadium to play in, we weren’t accurate in front of goal and our final touch wasn’t precise.” Even though the advantage over Real Madrid shrunk to three points, the center back said that “now we have to rest, recover and focus on Milan.”

The captain was accompanied by Marc Bartra in the middle of Barça’s defence, the first pairing of the two players this season. “I know Marc well,” said Puyol. “He’s very well equipped to play for Barça and he’s doing a better job each day.”

Here are the statements made by some of the other Barça players after the match:

Montoya:

“We tried to win from the first minute, but in the end it wasn’t meant to be. This is a difficult stadium to play in.”

“I’m pleased for the chance I was given, I’m aware that I’m playing for a big team and that I compete with Alves, who’s a beast, but I have to take advantage of my chances.”

“Puyol played a great match, hopefully he can play the rest of the season because he’s important for us.”

Pedro:

“We played a great game, we dominated, we created chances ... [this draw] has nothing to do with the international break.”