Gerard Martin says Barcelona must avoid Champions League ‘obsession’

Gerard Martin says Barcelona’s 2-1 victory over Atletico de Madrid has restored confidence after successive defeats by Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, but insists the team must continue improving and avoid becoming consumed by the prospect of winning the Champions League.

The Barcelona defender said the result in Madrid had given the squad an important lift and maintained that the club was progressing in the right direction.

“The win against Atletico was important because it gave us an advantage,” Martin told journalist Ashraf Ben Ayad in an interview published on his official X page. “We are playing well, but we are still at the start of the season and must continue to improve.

“It is true that losing two important matches in a row caused some frustration, but I am reassured because I believe we are on the right path.”

Barcelona had to recover from a difficult start against Atletico, with Martin acknowledging that the side did not perform as expected in the early stages. However, he said the players responded effectively and secured the result.

“It is true that we did not start the match well that day, but we knew how to correct the situation and overcome it,” he said, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. “In the end, we won, and that is what matters.”

Martin also addressed Barcelona’s ambitions in the Champions League. He said the players were determined to lift the trophy, while recognising the scale of the challenge and the need to maintain their focus rather than turn the target into an obsession.

“I do not know whether we are obsessed or not, but we have to take it step by step,” he said. “We do not see it as an obsession. We want to win it and will give everything to achieve that, but without falling into the trap of obsession.

“We know it is a difficult challenge, but we will do everything we can.”

The defender said he was pleased with his role at Barcelona and had learned to accept the scrutiny that comes with playing in the club’s defensive line.

“I am very happy to be playing, and I deal with it naturally because I know that, with our style of play, any doubts will always place the defence under the microscope,” Martin said.

“In my case, if the team is not in good form, questions will be asked about the centre-back position.”

Martin also revealed that his team-mates continue to call him “Maldini”, a reference to Italian defensive great Paolo Maldini.

“They still call me that,” he said with a laugh.