FCBARCELONA.CAT

13.05.2009 23:59

Guardiola: “Winning like that fills me with joy”

Anna Segura

After winning his first title as Barça manager, Josep Guardiola said he felt the merit goes down to every single one of his players.

The Barça manager was visibly overjoyed to have won what is hopefully just the first of three titles this season. But it was a prudent and respectful Josep Guardiola that appeared in the post-match press conference, although he was forced to admit that he had “never expected this season to go quite as well as it has.”

Proud of the team

Above all, the FC Barcelona manager was proud of his players. “It is something to enjoy. I am happy for the players because they have worked so hard.” There is an amazing relationship between Guardiola and his squad, and that was plainly visible from the way they celebrated the cup title together on the pitch.

Reaping the results

One of the things he feels most contented about is the way “we are starting to reap the benefits of the effort made all season … we are thrilled to win and also with the way we did it.”

Players deserve credit

Guardiola does not want to be handed all the credit for such a successful season. “My merit” he claimed, “is that I have such good players … they are very good. We came here very tired and we played an extraordinary game against a very well prepared team, Athletic Club, who have such an amazing set of supporters”.

Messi had to stay on

Asked why he didn’t substitute Leo Messi when the result seemed beyond doubt, Guardiola explained that “we have been together for some time and I know Leo. I know he wanted to play. He deserved to finish the game”.