FCBARCELONA.CAT

27.10.2009 14:48

Guardiola: “We are Barca and we don't throw away games or titles””

Jesús Carrillo

Pep Guardiola is clear about what his team's objectives are as they start their Spanish Cup campaign: “we are going to Leon to put in a good performance and to defend the title we won last season”.

There's no question of not taking the competition seriously, although Guardiola has taken the opportunity to rest some of his first choice players: “we have the same motivation to win this competition as we had last year. We are Barca and here we don't throw away games or titles. We have to go out in every game with the idea of winning. We have to take the first step in winning the tie tomorrow”. ”

Respect for rival

Cultural Leonesa may be one of the Spanish game's minnows, but speaking on Tuesday lunchtime at the Ciutat Esportiva, Guardiola made it clear that his team will not be taking them lightly, or “we could suffer like we did last year against Benidorm. They are a well ordered team with well planned set pieces, a striker, Jito, who takes his chances really well, two fast wingers and a team that they've put together to get to the top”.

“Always room for improvement”

The boss also talked about his team's progress and the various comments made last week after the defeat to Rubin Kazan: “everybody has an opinion, but that's all they are- opinions and we can do nothing about that. We can work on changing things that aren't quite working, but each rival is different and so is each game. I think the team's level has been good so far, but there is always room for improvement”.Guardiola doesn't reckon the criticisms or high praise in the media affect his players much either: “in general, we are a pretty stable group. Playing every three days or so obliges you to forget about the good and the bad things. The squad always strike me as relaxed and stable”.