Maxwell´s house in order

Barcelona full-back Maxwell has warned his teammates against complacency as they head into the New Year.

The reigning La Liga champions have swept all before them so far this season, culminating in a 5-0 annihilation of second-placed Real Madrid on November 29.

They are two points clear of Madrid at the top of the table with a staggering goal difference of 42, but Maxell is keen to ensure his teammates are not getting carried away and remain focused on the job at hand – beginning with Sunday’s home clash with Levante.

“Games are always difficult,” the 29-year-old said. “You can train as much as you can, but maybe we haven’t had enough time to get in shape for it.”

“We have to be focused and play an intense game, so that there are no surprises and we can get a fundamental three points.”

“You can never be comfortable in football and should always look for improvement and titles. You can’t live off what you have done. You have to look for new titles and to improve our game, even though in 2010 we did very well.”

“We have the challenge of winning all the competitions that we are participating in. The cup, the Champions League and the league – we want to win them all, and we’ll have to be very prepared.”

Maxwell was full of praise for Barca’s new signing Ibrahim Afellay, a 24-year-old Dutch winger the Catalan giants have bought from PSV Eindhoven

“He is very fast, technical and intelligent. He has talent. He will have to get used to our game, but we will support him,” he said.