Football: Puyol hits back at critics

BARCELONA: Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has hit back at critics who insist that the European and Spanish champions are struggling to maintain their high standards of last season. The Catalan giants face Osasuna today after drawing 2-2 against Real Sociedad. They also squandered a 2-1 lead over AC Milan in the Champions League by conceding a goal in injury time. Puyol, however, is angry at the team being judged so quickly. “We are fine and we are not listening to what people are saying from outside the club,” said Puyol. “Before we were not the best, and now we are not the worst.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2011.