The 33-year-old towering shot-stopper gave a warning signal to Barcelona, asserting that Sporting Gijon will not visit the Camp Nou just to be pushed around.
Relegation threatened Sporting Gijon travel to the Camp Nou for their next La Liga fixture and Gijon keeper, Juan Pablo, believes that they can upset the reigning European and Spanish champions.
"Gijon lives and breathes football and it can be noticed in the support every Sunday. That is why we must allow ourselves until the last drop of blood to achieve the goal for them. We play with the illusion of many people and hopefully we get it," he said
in a Yahoo! Eurosport chat which also had Europe Press representative.
Referring to Sporting Gijon’s next match against FC Barcelona, the Leon-born player stressed that they will try to get the best out of the away fixture.
Elaborating on the subject, he pointed towards Los Rojiblancos’ away win against Real Madrid that shattered Jose Mourinho’s nine-year record of no losses suffered at home in league matches.
"Possibilities are clearly less than in other games. In the world of football, people remember more and some less teams that win when nobody roots for them. Without going any further, last year we broke the record for Mourinho," Pablo confessed.
Pablo praised Barcelona for the quality individuals in their roster and admitted that winning against the Catalan side will not be easy. However, he also said that they will give their best, in order to win the match.
Lionel Messi will not be available for the match after accumulating five yellow cards in the season and serves a one-match ban as a result.
Commenting about the Argentine’s absence, Pablo stated that it will be a relief not to see the world’s best player on the pitch.
Barcelona welcome the Asturias-based outfit to the Camp Nou on March 3rd.