FCBARCELONA.CAT

11.03.2009 23:59

Guardiola: “We’ll go far with this spirit”

Vanessa Forns

Once again, Guardiola has highlighted the fighting spirit of the team has shown match after match, and which this Wednesday helped send Barça though to the next round of the Champions League.

FC Barcelona won a place in the CL quarterfinals on Wednesday night after a convincing 5-2 victory over Lyon in the Camp Nou. Speaking at the post match press conference, Josep Guardiola told reporters: “The players were brilliant in the first half. It’s a pity about the (Lyon) goal in the final minute and the other at the beginning of the second half. All in all, while we weren’t so brilliant (in the second half) we didn’t concede any efforts on goal”.

A long way to go

With the same caution he has displayed all season, the Barça coach enjoyed Wednesday night’s success while reminding everybody that there is still a long way to go in the competition and called on the players to focus on next weekend’s league match away to Almería: “There’s a lot to go. We’re looking at some tough months ahead. With this spirit, all together we’ll go far. We have to work. There’s so much (of the season) left that it’s not worth speculating. We have to recover mentally and physically to go to Almería and win the three points”.

Among the European elite

Barça now joins an elite group of eight clubs in the draw for the quarterfinals on 20th March: “We’re among the best eight teams in Europe. This is a game, a spectacle, and we should be happy because one of the eight best teams in Europe will come to the Camp Nou”.

“Whoever we get it’ll be good”

Asked about his preferences in the next round, Guardiola revealed: “Now we’ve got Almería. Whoever we get in the draw will be welcome. We’ll study them hard and try and find out their weak points. They’re all very good. There are the four English teams, and I’d also like to congratulate Villarreal. As for the Germans and the Portuguese, they’re historic teams in their countries. Whoever we get it’ll be good”.

The importance of the fans

“I’d like to thank the fans for filling the stadium. People enjoyed themselves again. Obviously we have to make an even bigger effort than up to now. In Madrid they’ll soon forget about the CL and concentrate on the league. Without the help of the fans we won’t be able to manage it. If they give us a hand, we’ll be fighting until the end”.

Praise

Finally, Guardiola was full of praise for his players, making special mention of Sylvinho, Henry, and Piqué: “I’d like to single out Sylvinho. I’m very happy for him. Henry’s talent is always there. He helps us a lot and he knows that without the team he isn’t going anywhere. I’m asking him to keep going. Don’t stop. As for Piqué, he’s having a great season. He’s young and has to keep improving”.