Zambrotta Thinks Mentality Is The Key
(Goal.com) - Gianluca Zambrotta believes that FC Barcelona must rediscover their winning drive, but does not think that team is suffering because they are unfit.
The Italian defender joined the Catalan giants last summer and has been very impressed by his new club and is enjoying the differences between Italy and Spain.
In recent weeks, Barça have been accused of fading in games and questions have been raised about the fitness levels, but Zambrotta dismisses the idea.
"I do not think that it is a physical problem, but we do have to rediscover our winning mentality," the former Juventus star explained.
"The training here is all done with a ball, including our physical preparation. The ball is the main feature.
"But that does not mean that we do not work hard. Everything here is slightly calmer and not as intense."
Zambrotta revealed that he has been made to feel at home in Catalunya and thinks that his background has eased his transition into the European champions' squad.
"I have been received very well," he said. "I came as a champion of the world and people know that we, the Italians, have a winning mentality and are very tactically minded.
"Our reputation for being defensive is something that has now gone after we won the World Cup.
"Barcelona is a great team, better than the majority of Italian clubs and one of the best in Europe, although maybe we are not at the top this season.
"I do not think my form has suffered after the World Cup.
"I have started a new life, in a new country, with a new team, in a different league and have the stimulus of everything being new."
Having spent several months alongside Ronaldinho, Zambrotta admits to being a big fan of the Brazilian although he has also been impressed by other players at the club.
"Everyone likes him (Ronaldinho)," he continued. "It is a delight to see some of the things that he can do, which are usually amazing.
"But he is a human being like the rest of us and cannot always be 100 per cent, but even at 80 per cent he can make a real difference.
"It is not only him though, Andrés Iniesta and Xavi have really impressed me and I would not want to be in a defence that has to face Lionel Messi."
For more soccer news visit Goal.com
Comments
So true Zambrotta so true
Posted by: RcFutbolFreak | February 5, 2007 02:50 PM
when you are good people look all the time
for high standard soccer but barce is still
the best in europe. real madrid and chelsea
please look and learn
Posted by: soccer dr. nyc | February 5, 2007 04:53 PM
Zambrotta has to stop making excuses for him and his team. This is a team that should be rolling over any opponent they meet. Messi, Ronaldinho, Zambrotta, Deco, Et'o, etc... c'mon gimme a break. If they aren't winning, it's for one reason only. The hunger and drive to win on this team is absent. If they don't get that hunger back in a hurry, they will find themselves with nothing after the season ends.
Posted by: giova * * * * | February 6, 2007 11:28 AM
Shhh. leave zambrotta alone, he's a hero not a hot-dog, a great player indeed,at any given time even the best team on paper can run into difficulties,just look at Brasil 2006?
Posted by: wolfen | February 6, 2007 07:33 PM
Wolfen you are truly surprising me lately. I guess there is good in everyone.
Posted by: giova * * * * | February 6, 2007 08:42 PM
Why am i surprising u ? I just call it as i see it. I give credit where it's due.Nothing I admire more than a great soccer(footbal) game,and the skill of it's players.
Posted by: wolfen | February 7, 2007 09:14 AM
I'm not quite sure how to say this; you made it exrteelmy easy for me!
Posted by: Jennis | January 8, 2012 12:37 AM