Arda: "I feel like one of the others at Barcelona"

The big day is here for Arda Turan. The Turk can play on Saturday at Camp Nou against his old team Atletico Madrid, where he really shot to fame. "I still love Atletico a lot," he confessed.

Although he's played for less than a month with Barcelona, Arda thinks that he's pefectly integrated into the team. "I feel like another piece, I'm another guy in this team. I feel well, physically and mentally, available to give everything I can for Barcelona to fulfill their objectives."

The visit of Atletico Madrid to Camp Nou will be twice as special for the Barcelona player, who celebrates his 29th birthday on the day of the game. "To win would be a good gift," he added. 

For Arda, Atletico will always be the team that allowed him to win titles at the top level, enabling him to make the jump to Barcelona. He cannot forget his four seasons there. "I have a lot of respect for them and I still love them a lot," said Arda. 

"I think I will be very nervous before and after the game, but during the play, no. It will be a tough game, we know that we have to give everything because to play against Atletico has never been easy. It hasn't been during these years, and it won't be now."

Atletico "have changed a lot of players", noted Arda. "But they have the same system of play and the same idea, it's a team that deserves all the respect in the world."

Arda confessed that he's been thinking about this game for a while. He couldn't play in Barcelona's 2-1 win in the Calderon because of the FIFA ban and curiously the second tie is scheduled on his birthday.

"I will play against Atletico on the same day as my birthday. I only hope to enjoy the game. If we win, it will be a good gift. Now I'm a Barcelona player and I go out to win all the games [I play]."