Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is convinced his side
can wipe out the 2-0 first-leg loss suffered to AC Milan and qualify for the
quarter-finals of the Champions League in next Tuesday's second leg at the Nou
Camp.
The Blaugrana produced a lacklustre performance in the
first leg at the San Siro, but playmaker Iniesta is confident they have the
ability to turn around the tie.
He told reporters at a corporate event: "I would put
my hand in the fire for the team, I am confident that we can do it. It was not
a good result, but I am 100 per cent convinced that we can turn it around.
"We have to do well and go out as though it's a
final. For us it's a final where we need to get a good result to come out
alive."
The defeat against Milan, plus two Clasico losses on the
trot mean Barcelona are currently on a run of three defeats in four and have
been subject to media criticism.
28-year-old Iniesta responded to this criticism, claiming
Barcelona deserve respect for their La Liga form. Barca are currently 11 points
clear at the top of the table and have scored 83 goals in 26 games.
Iniesta said: "We deserve more respect. What's more
in La Liga, we are in an unbeatable position. I wish it was always this way.
"We are concerned because we haven't been good, but
the concern should make us stronger and more optimistic to keep doing
well."
Barcelona are competing for their third Champions League
title in five years following their victories over Manchester United in 2009
and 2011 and have been boosted by news of Tito Vilanova's imminent return to
the Nou Camp
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