Iniesta: "We played well and had a good attitude"

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The FC Barcelona could not hide their delight as the chalked up their sixth consecutive victory in all competitions by beating Atlético de Madrid in Camp Nou on Sunday. Andrés Iniesta and Víctor Valdés spoke to the press after the game.

Iniesta enjoyed another strong performance in his defensive midfield role and he was pleased with the way that Barça are currently playing before he heads off to join the Spanish squad for the forthcoming Euro 2008 friendly against Denmark. "We achieved our aim of continuing our run of wins before the internatonal break," he said. "We showed how good we are and the right attitude. This is the way we want to carry on playing. We are playing good football and things are going well for us. After the break we will come back with the same desire to continue the run."

Reflecting on the second half performance he added: "We lowered our physical level slightly, but that is normal after the effort we put in during the first half. We have shown that the team knows how to battle."

Another clean sheet

After finishing the game against Atlético without conceding a goal, Valdés stated: "It was a game where we had to work hard against a strong team that came out with a real desire and made things difficult." The Barça keeper highlighted the importance of the opening goal from Deco. "The first goal in a home game is basic because they came out to see what they could achieve. With the first goal the other side opened up."

"Things are going well because above all these first games of the season are vital for the final outcome," he continued. "Many things were said at the start of the season but we have done what we had to and that was to play football."

Valdés wants respect for other keepers

Víctor Valdés was not keen on entering the debate as to whether he should be in the Spain squad or not. "I do not understand it as people talk about me although I have never been chosen," he said. "It is a lack of respect towards the players who have been selected."

Looking ahead to Barça's first game back after the international break against Villarreal, Valdés added: "It is will be a difficult game like all games are when players come back from these matches. We will try and be ready even if we do not have much time to prepare."