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Toure: We only fear tiredness
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-24 17:05

MADRID -- Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure said on Thursday that the only major obstacle that his side feared was the possibility that tiredness could overcome them.

Toure spoke less than 24 hours after Barcelona had sounded a warning to their rivals in the Champions League, with a 5-0 away win over Swiss side Basel.

That win came three days after they showed they were also able to work hard and dig out a win with a battling display that saw them to a 1-0 win in Athletic Club Bilbao's San Mames stadium.

"The team played very well (in Basel) and we produced a great game. The pitch was a bit heavy and my legs are a bit stiff. But I don't have any other problems," Toure told a press conference, reproduced on the club's official website.

With Barcelona in fine form having won their last five Primera Liga matches and their three appearances in Europe, the side coached by Pep Guardiola is looking tough to beat and at the moment, Toure says the only problem they could face is a full fixture calendar.

Barcelona are playing in the Primera Liga, in the Champions League and next week sees them kick off their campaign in the Copadel Rey, which means a match every three or four days, virtually until the middle of December.

"The fear that we could have is because of playing a game every three days. It is not an easy situation to deal with," said Toure.

However, he also had words of praise for Guardiola, who he believes is doing his best to use the full potential of the squad.

"The boss is doing his job and getting everyone to play. We all have a lot of quality and are playing at a very high level," he said, before dismissing rumors of his future.

"I am very happy here and so is my family. I am relaxed and happy to play in this great club. It is great to play with this famous shirt and I want to win a title this season," he concluded.