Don´t blame Valdes, says Zubizarreta

Andoni Zubizarreta has defended Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes, after his error gifted Real Madrid a late goal in Thursday’s Super Cup.

His mistake means next Wednesday’s second leg at the at the Santiago Bernabeu is delicately poised at 3-2 in Barcelona’s favour.

After going a goal down to Cristiano Ronaldo’s header, Barca were brought to life and strikes from Pedro, Lionel Messi and Xavi looked to have put the tie beyond Madrid’s reach.

However, after Valdes failed to control a simple back pass, Angel di Maria nipped in to reduce the defect, and both teams will have everything to play for in the return leg.

Speaking to TVE after the game, Zubizarreta told reporters: “Mistakes are part of a goalkeeper’s career. Victor has saved us far more goals than he has conceded over the years – I’m sure that after tonight he will go on to have a perfect season.”

Commenting on the match’s winning goal, created by a superb run from Andreas Iniesta, Zubizarreta said: “Iniesta is a player who always appears, and his positional play leads to so many attacking chances. When it comes to the final pass, he sees what others do not see.”

Spanish forward Pedro believes the Catalans should have won the tie by a greater margin, after Tito Vilanova’s side put on an exhibition of attacking play during the second half at Camp Nou.

Pedro told TVE: “I don’t think the result reflects the chances we created in the second half. We will have to approach the second leg with a lot of concentration.”

However, Pedro remains optimistic about Barca’s chances. “It’s a blow, but to win against your rival is always important. Now we will have to put on a great show at the Bernabeu.”