Joan Laporta, the president of FC Barcelona, expressed his confidence in the team's chances of finishing among the top eight during a board meeting before the team's match against Slavia Prague in the UEFA Champions League. He also praised goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen on the occasion of his loan to Girona.

Laporta said, "This is a goal we are striving to achieve, and of course, I believe we have a chance if we win the remaining two matches. What we need to do is score goals, as there is a possibility of teams being tied on points."

He added regarding Ter Stegen: "We hope it's just a temporary farewell. After recovering from his injury, Stegen needs to play, and he will have more opportunities with Girona. He is an exceptional goalkeeper, one of the best in the world. These circumstances create a conflicting feeling, as we want the best for him, yet at the same time, we want him with Barcelona."

He continued: "If he wants to play in the World Cup, as the German national team coach said, he must participate in matches, and staying here to recover from the injury would have been more difficult. Ter Stegen knows that Barcelona is his home, and this loan is only until the end of the season. After that, we wish him success in the World Cup and will talk later. He has a contract with us, so he remains a Barcelona player."

Laporta concluded his remarks about the goalkeeper by saying: "I wish all the best to the great captain because he is an exceptional person, a wonderful human being, in addition to being a great goalkeeper."