Sergio: Pedro wants to be here and will give 100%

Sergio Busquets, third captain of Barcelona, has stated in a press conference on Thursday that "whatever happens, happens" and that he wants "the best for Pedro." The future of the Barça forward is in doubt, but Busquets considers him as "another teammate" who is at "100%".

He admitted that, "at the moment it is difficult, but we want the best for him. He wants more minutes, like any player, and whatever may happen, will happen, but it will be the best for him."

Pedro "still wants to be here with us, but he wants minutes. If he stays or goes, it will be the same, he will help the team 100%, just like the first day he joined. It will be him who decides to leave or not, but as long as he is here, he is always up for it."

Busquets did not want to reveal the advice that he had given to Pedro, but "we have talked a lot, and selfishly I want him to stay for everything that he offers both myself and the team. But, as I have said before, a player wants minutes and he will decide if he stays or not."

Nolito

About the possible substitute for Pedro, in case the forward joins Manchester United, Busquets explained that "Nolito has already been in the B team and is having good seasons with Celta. He is a player who causes problems, who can score. He has debuted with the national team, but there is nothing there at the moment."

San Mames

Busquets recalled that Athletic Club will arrive in physically better shape in the first leg of the Super Cup, although "we have recovered well after the European Super Cup." He also said that "it is not the best way to face another final, but we knew that after Sevilla we were expecting Athletic at the San Mames, in a very difficult and demanding place. There are no excuses."

No advantage for Athletic Club

According to the Barcelona player "physically they will arrive in a little better shape, but we will try to not show it. We are opponents and we know them well. I see a good, competitive final, but I don't believe that the fact they have had a little more time to prepare will be a big advantage."

Only 90 minutes

The central midfielder admitted that it is hard to say whether having the game at the Camp Nou during the second leg will be beneficial or not... "I will tell you after it has finished," he joked. "It is better to play the return leg at home, but we will try and get a good result in the first leg in order to be calmer in front of our own fans, but it will be difficult. The first 90 minutes don't mean anything."

Want to win

Busquets has it clear that "they [Athletic Club] will want to win, of course. In recent years we have played many games against them and we have always won. I don't think that you can talk about revenge, but they will go out to win, they are intense. San Mames is a different place to play. They are a young team but they have quality, physicality and are tactically good... we have to be at 100%, if not, they will get on top."

Correct the mistakes

After defensive errors against Sevilla, Busquets admitted that they have to stamp them out. "We will try to do it, because we made tactical and individual mistakes. We have to improve this. In a game where you can be eliminated, they can cost you a lot."

Messi is number one

Finally, Busquets talked of Messi. "He is always at the forefront of the team, we know that he is, he is motivated to improve himself... he works for the team. He is the best in the world and he does have stages, but whatever happens it is normal for him to always be our best player."