Written on 02 May 2010.

Osasuna & Iran Star Javad Nekounam Wants To See Barcelona As La Liga Champions This Season

GOAL - He stunned Madridistas last season at the Santiago Bernabeu when he headed home a goal past This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., who is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of all time; but This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. has no time to dwell on his memorable past moments since he is going to have a tricky test against This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on Sunday's crucial meeting.

In his exclusive interview with This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Nekounam talks about his injury news update, his interest to see This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as La Liga champions this season and how he was disappointed to see North Korea as one of Iran's rivals in This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.'s group D.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.: Do you think This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. clash is worthy of playing even with your injured foot?

I don't have any problems to play, but I still feel some pain in my foot. We will have a tough match and it is a must-win for Real Madrid in order to remain as La Liga's potential winners. I think we can make a difference in this match and I'm sure we will put a decent performance.

Goal.com: Osasuna have proven to achieve favourable results on big occasions. Do you think this time it will be the same?

We play really well against teams like This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and they have never been in complete cruise control against us. We have got favourable results against them every now and again as well. We defeated both Real Madrid and Barcelona during last season's final fixtures.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.: Last season you found the back of the net at Santiago Bernabéu and tomorrow (Sunday) you are going to be on that pitch again. What is your goal this time?

I want my team to play well and for everyone to enjoy our football. My aim is to win against Real Madrid and if I can score a goal, it will be even better. I really enjoy scoring goals.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.: What is the main difference about This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. this season?

They have bigger names and have become more like a team. They also have a resourceful coach. I like Pellegrini's work and the way his team plays.

Goal.com: If Osasuna can hold Real Madrid, then This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. will take a step closer towards the league title. What are your thoughts on that subject?

I hope it happens, because personally I love to see Barcelona as champions this season; however, it is going to be very hard to get a point against This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Goal.com: What is Real Madrid's biggest forte?

They are very sharp when they are attacking. They have various players up front who can give them the edge. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. is in good form and Higuain proves to be a prolific striker at the moment.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.: What are your tactics to stop them?

We don't have any tactics to stop their stars. Instead we will try to stop them as a team. We know too much about Real Madrid's tactics and we have trained based on those tactics.

Goal.com: Osasuna were desperate to qualify for This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. this season. You were so close to book your place, but it didn't come true.

We have no one to blame but ourselves for that. We were rampant in most of our matches, but unfortunately didn't take our chances. We gave away silly points in some matches as well. We could qualify for This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., but we spurned our opportunity to do that.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.: Are Osasuna players feeling a sense of danger about relegation?

We are still mathematically under threat of relegation, but in practice it is not going to happen. There is no danger of relegation.

Goal.com: Why were you upset to see North Korea as one of Iran's opponents in This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.'s group D?

We have always been a winner against North Korea, but I don't appreciate their style of play. We will beat them again this time. However, I don't enjoy the way they play. I don't admire anti-football tactics as we witnessed that during This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.'s match against This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in the Champions League. No one enjoyed the way This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. played. I don't appreciate the way Bahrain play either. I wish This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. were in our group.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.: Is Iran one of the favourites to win This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. this time?

It is a difficult tournament and you can't predict who is going to be the champions.