Laporta calls on fans to fill the Nou Camp for Werder

Laporta calls on fans to fill the Nou Camp for Werder

Club president Joan Laporta wants the Nou camp full to the rafters for the vital match against Werder Bremen. He believes the support of the fans will be an essential element in getting through to the last 16 of the Champions League.

It's probably the most important match of the season so far and Joan Laporta wants the fans to play their part. He told reporters on Wednesday: "Against Werder Bremen the fans have to play the match from the terraces as well and create an atmosphere, but a sporting one".
"The fans, the membership and all Barca supporters must cheer the players on because it's a very important moment for the team. We've got a lot at stake in this match. We have a team in which we have complete confidence and which deserves to be supported. I want the fans to give as much support as possible".

First the league

The match against Werder is the next home game for the team but before that they'll have to travel down the coast to Valencia to play Levante. According to Edmilson, who was with Joan Laporta today for the presentation of his Foundation, this match is the most immediate concern: "The present right now is Levante. We play in stages and the most important match right now is Levante". The players are well aware they mustn't lose their concentration against Levante: "We have to focus on the league. We only have a one-point lead over Sevilla and three over Real Madrid".

Ronaldinho and the FIFA World Player

Meanwhile, Joan Laporta expressed his satisfaction at the possibility of Ronaldinho winning the FIFA World Player for the third year in a row: "I'm very happy for him. Ronaldinho is a 10 of a player. He's the best player in the world and we always like these awards to go to Barca players". Laporta also gave his opinions on the controversy surrounding the choice of Fabio Cannavaro for the Golden Ball: "He must be respected. I don't like to upset a great player though I would have preferred the trophy to be won by a Barca player".

No problem with Rijkaard

Rumours are going about that Frank Rijkaard could leave the club at the end of the season but Laporta assured reporters there was nothing to be worried about: "I'm not worried. We have the best trainer in the world and our personal relationship is exceptional. So I want to be fair to him. He's a man you can learn from and he's helping to make the Club. He puts the interests of the Club and the players before his own".