Competition is also present in the Blaugrana's equally star-studded defence.


As competition in the FC Barcelona forward line grows, the heat is also being felt at the back line of the Blaugrana, where stars like Carles Puyol, Gabriel Milito, Zambrotta, Abidal, Thuram and defensive conscious Toure Yaya all operate, with the addition of Mexican star, Rafa Marquez. Who plays and who stays? To this question, Marquez says:

There are lots of changes at Barca this summer. A lot has happened since the season ended. The competition within the team will be interesting. As everyone can see, it will be very difficult to play as often as I would wish, but any big team needs competiton. We will all want to play all the games, and that will be good for the team. We are working very well, and the fact is that there is a very good feeling in the team and a healthy working environment.

Speaking on the Asian tour, Marquez was happy at the way the entire tour went and believed it will only translate to something positive for FC Barcelona this season :

We have started off well. This tour has been arranged better than earlier ones. Of course, the best thing would have been to train here in Barcelona, but we understand that the club has various other obligations. I am very happy here, I have a contract until 2010 but I want to stay on even beyond that. I am happy here at Barca.

Marquez rejoins the rest of the team when the squad returns from Asia.