Andres Iniesta has clearly dismissed
the idea that Barcelona are at the end of an era following their 4-0 Champions
League trashing by Bayern Munich.
Barcelona, who lifted the trophy in
2009 and 2011, were the favourites before Tuesday's semifinal first leg but it
was surprising to see the so called best team in the world so outclassed by the
Germans that many people believe their recent era of dominance is over.
"I think it is unfair to talk
of a cyclical change," the Spanish World Cup winner told a news conference
on Thursday. Over the last five years this team has won two Champions League
titles...and we are on the point of winning a fourth La Liga title.
"It makes no sense to analyse
five years in the one match in Munich. For me the end of an era is when years
go by and you don't win any titles."
"When you win the league you
cannot say it has been a bad year because it is the most important title,"
said Iniesta.
With Real also suffering a heavy 4-1
defeat at Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League semifinal first leg,
Iniesta was asked if the Bundesliga had overtaken La Liga in importance.
"Bayern and Borussia are very
good teams, well prepared physically and technically, and they have shown it in
these two games," Iniesta said.
"It isn't that La Liga has
dropped below them, it is just that the teams have overcome their rivals."
"We have 90 minutes in front of
us to try and achieve something very difficult," he added.
.
Barca, 13 points clear with six
games left, will be crowned La Liga champions again on Saturday if they win at
Athletic Bilbao and second-placed Real Madrid lose the city derby at Atletico.
Looking ahead to Wednesday's second
leg at the Nou Camp, the 28-year-old promised Barca would give their all in a
bid to turn the Champions League tie round.