Thursday, 18th March 2010

Barcelona are one step closer to being the first team to defend their Champions League crown by thrashing Stuttgart 4-0 at the Camp Nou and qualifying for the quarterfinals in style. Captain Carles Puyol and winger Pedro Rodriguez are not getting carried away with the success however, insisting nothing has been won yet.

"The euphoria is normal, but we have our feet on the ground as it’s already been shown you can have one bad day and be eliminated," said Puyol on Fifa.com, while Pedro added: "We are getting closer (to retaining the title) but it’s difficult and we have to take it step by step. All the remaining teams will be difficult, we respect them and we have to be focused."

Barca’s fate in the Champions League will depend much on the result of the quarterfinal draw, which will take place on Friday.

 

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