Alejandro Balde: 'We have a team to do great things'

Alejandro Balde: 'We have a team to do great things'

The Barça full back also touches on the subject of racism, which needs to be 'pointed out' without 'generalising' after incidents in the recent game against Getafe

Barça go into their final fixture of the initial phase of the Champions League against Atalanta on Wednesday with their homework already done. Ahead of the visit of the Italian side to the Estadi Olímpic, the blaugranes are already assured of a place in the last 16 of this season's competition. Hansi Flick's squad has a strong nucleus of homegrown players, one of whom is Alejandro Balde, with the left back appearing in the pre-game press conference on Tuesday at the Ciutat Esportiva. 


A team to try for it all 

Balde, a regular in the side this season under the new German coach, described the visit of the Italian side. "We have a very important game ahead of us. We are through, but we are taking on a top side and we will be going for the three points. We are a young side and we always want to win," said the defender. 

"We have a team to do great things. We have won the Super Cup, the first of the season, and there is still a long way to go in the league and in the Champions League we are doing well. We have beaten some great teams and we have to think that we can win everything," continued Balde. 

Balde also talked about his own form: "It's not easy to come back after six months out and play all the time, it's a process. I feel good, but I am young and I still have a lot to learn. People are getting the wrong idea hoping that you can be the best in the world at 19 or 20. At 21 I am playing for the Barça first team; it's not easy, but I hope it can continue."

Clear about racism 

The Barça defender was equally candid about the racist abuse he suffered in the recent game against Getafe. "It was a tough situation. For three or four people who insult you, you can't generalise about Spanish Football. We can't tarnish everybody's reputation. When you receive those insults, you have to point out who is doing it and that La Liga take action. It doesn't affect me because it has happened to me on numerous occasions. I am proud to be black. What surprised me at Getafe is that they called me 'black this' and 'black that', but their captain is black too," concluded Balde.

 

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