FCBARCELONA.CAT

30.08.2008 13:43

Guardiola: “We have to win and convince”

Berta Brau

The Barça manager has commented on how important it is to get the league season off to a good start this weekend. Guardiola considers that “if the League goes well, everything else works, because the league marks the pace for the team in general.”

With just a day to go before Barça start their League campaign, Pep Guardiola has explained why this weekend’s trip to Soria is s important and that the side has to “win and convince … because the league marks the pace for the team in general and when the League goes well, everything else goes better too.”

So Guardiola is aware off how important it is to get off to a winning start: “We have to be at our best as quickly as possible and that implies winning in Soria.”

First league game

The draw determined that Barça with start the season at Los Pajaritos against newly promoted Numancia, who Barça have never beaten away from the Camp Nou, but that is no excuse for Guardiola: “That’s the ground we have to go to and that’s the team we’re playing and there is no room for excuses, we simply have to go there and win.”

He described the opening game as “difficult because we have to do everything well…. The result we get in Soria will not win or lose the league, but it always helps to start with a win.”

Pleased with the team

The Barça manager said he is “very happy with the team and the signings we have made … all of them are ready to work hard.” Guardiola is also pleased with what his players have achieved so far: “they have done a good job in the preseason and now they have to round that off with a win in Soria. We are in three competitions and we have to fight hard in them all.”

Guardiola was delighted to get Leo Messi back, and sees the player as being “very happy and in good form” and he was also glad to see him coming back “with a medal and without injuries”.