Gudjohnsen talks up Barça prowess

After overwhelming Sporting Clube de Portugal, Eidur Gudjohnsen thinks FC Barcelona's scintillating form will be sending shivers through their rivals ahead of next month's draw for the first knockout round.

Impressive
Gudjohnsen was part of another impressive performance by the Catalans as they scored five times away from home for the second time in this season's competition to clinch top spot in Group C. Both Barcelona and their hosts had already qualified for the next phase, but Gudjohnsen said it never occurred to Pep Guardiola's team to take it easy. "You have to take every game very seriously," the Iceland forward said. "Just to keep form going, and to keep confidence high. I think it was quite important, as there will be a lot of teams now hoping to avoid us in the draw." The 30-year-old added that such performances could only help Barcelona in their quest to reclaim the Liga title from Real Madrid CF. "Now we can put the Champions League to one side and concentrate on a run of important league games," he said.

Coach key
Team-mate Seydou Keita added that the confidence coursing through the side is such they almost expect a feast of goals every time they take to the field. "It's happening a lot at the moment," said the Mali international, having seen his side secure two big domestic wins recently in addition to their 5-0 defeat of FC Basel 1893 on Matchday 3. The midfielder was quick to praise Guardiola's contribution to their success: "The coach is playing a very important part. He knows that different types of people and players are needed to make a good team. Everyone in the squad has the quality to play, and that's important." The 28-year-old thinks the attacking instincts of his new team-mates have helped him rediscover his touch following a summer move from Sevilla FC. "When I'm managing to score regularly it gives me even more confidence going forward," he said.

'Better than us'
Sporting left-back Leandro Grimi was philosophical in defeat, conceding that Barça "were just better than us". "They're the best team in the world at the moment," said the Argentinian, part of a backline which has conceded only six goals in nine league games this season. "We are usually well-organised in defence, but they gave us a lot of problems," he said. Grimi reserved special praise for his compatriot Lionel Messi, the scorer of Barcelona's third goal and cause of many a headache for the home defence. "He's the best in the world, a long way ahead of everybody else," said the 23-year-old. Better even than Cristiano Ronaldo? "For me, yes. It could be because he's Argentinian of course – because of that, he's like an idol to me."