<<Print>>

Barcelona defender Carles Puyol has defended coach Gerardo Martino, insisting the players would "die for him". While Barca can lift the Copa del Rey this week if they beat Real Madrid in the final on Wednesday and they remain in contention for La Liga, they have fallen four points behind leaders Atletico, who knocked them out of the Champions League. And Puyol feels the whole squad have to take responsibility for the team's failings, as opposed to just the coach. "We can't control it," he told reporters. "It is easier to criticise the manager than 25 players. But if things go wrong it is everyone's fault.