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05.02.2009 23:55
Guardiola: “Nothing is decided yet”
Vanessa Forns
Guardiola believes 2-0 was “a good result” and feels it was important “not to let any goals in”. But he is aware that “the tie isn’t over yet” and that “passage to the final will be played out in Mallorca”.
The Barça manager was delighted with yet another sound performance at the Camp Nou tonight. But he also admitted that it had been a difficult job to get the better of their opponent. Guardiola knows nothing will be decided until after the game in Mallorca, and that the team will have to “charge their batteries” to make sure of a place in the final.
Being cautious
“We have to take precautions”. That was the manager’s message ahead of a second leg in which there is still everything to play for. “The game is not over yet. We have a great chance to get into the final, but they can still beat us. Nothing is decided yet.” He said that despite knowing that Barça have yet to concede three goals in a game this season. Of course, as he said, “just because that hasn’t happened doesn’t mean that it can’t happen”.
Match analysis
Reviewing the game, Guardiola said that generally “Barça were better than Mallorca … we were able to stop a team that plays very well on the counter attack … the pitch was much faster than it usually is and we’re only human, we are not so perfect that we are always going to win 5-0.” He humbly added that “sometimes we are able to do things badly.”
Prudence
He also wisely explained that “everything is so much more complicated than it looks”. He said that of course he would have liked to “have won by more goals, but by that reckoning, I would also like to be 37 points clear in the league and already be in the Cup and Champions League finals”.
Pleased with fans
Guardiola ended with a word for the ever loyal fans. “The supporters are helping us a lot, and I hope they don’t lose heart because we need them all the way to the final”.
Laporta: “A good result, but not definitive”
Joan Laporta felt 2-0 was a good result for FC Barcelona against Mallorca in the first leg of the
Copa del Rey semi final. But like Josep Guardiola he commented that “it was good result, but
not definitive. There are 90 minutes still to play.” The president noticed how hard it had
been to beat a Mallorca side that “came to the Camp Nou under no pressure”.
Joan Laporta also felt it was important to thank the players for the amazing effort they are putting into things, despite having to play two games almost every week. “Keeping up with such a heavy schedule involves a major effort, not just physically but also mentally” he observed.
The president also wanted to mention the win for Regal FC Barcelona against Maccabi Tel Aviv by 85-65 in basketball’s Euroleague. “After losing the first Top-16 match, winning tonight was very important. It was a great game, we won by a difference of 20 points. We have a great team”.
Joan Laporta also felt it was important to thank the players for the amazing effort they are putting into things, despite having to play two games almost every week. “Keeping up with such a heavy schedule involves a major effort, not just physically but also mentally” he observed.
The president also wanted to mention the win for Regal FC Barcelona against Maccabi Tel Aviv by 85-65 in basketball’s Euroleague. “After losing the first Top-16 match, winning tonight was very important. It was a great game, we won by a difference of 20 points. We have a great team”.
