28.01.2011 14:19

Guardiola: “It’s one of the toughest trips we have left”

Anna Segura

Manager Pep Guardiola hasn’t forgotten that Hercules is the only team that has beaten Barça in the league this season. He feels that a win in Alicante would be a major boost to the team.

Guardiola learned an important lesson when they lost their second game of the 2010/11 season to Hercules at the Camp Nou. And that is why he has given his players a special warning before the trip to the Rico Pérez on Saturday. “This is one of the toughest away games we have left. Due to the team and due to the ground”. As well he knows, in 19 games in Alicante, Barcelona have only ever won six times, and four of those wins were by a solitary goal.

A step forward

With that in mind, Guardiola added that “there is still a long way to go in the league and our lead is only a small, insignificant one”. He wants the utmost concentration from his players against Hercules to ensure “a step forward that would be a major boost”.

Possible turning point

On the previous meeting between the sides, Guardiola said the loss to Hercules “put us a bit in our places” but then again “the players had had an atypical preseason … we found it a bit harder than usual and didn’t have much time to get into shape”.

Praise for Keita

Guardiola also singled out Seydou Keita for particular praise. “Keita is the image of this team” he said. Although the coach is not giving too many minutes to the Malian “he is showing his generosity in everything … I hope that is the image that can guide us from here to the end of the season.” Guardiola then added that “when there are substitutes in the team that so willingly accept their role, the team will get far”.

Alves ready to play 90 minutes

Dani Alves has been declared fit and will be travelling to Alicante. Guardiola announced that the Brazilian “is ready to play for 90 minutes”. During his absence, Alves has been replaced by his compatriot Adriano and Guardiola has been impressed with his work, saying that “it is not easy when you don’t play regularly and have to step in for somebody like Dani”.