FCBARCELONA.CAT

22.10.2008 23:58

Guardiola wants to take focus off the result

Vanessa Forns

Pep Guardiola does not want the emphatic 0-5 scoreline secured against FC Basel to “confuse” his players as they turn their attention to the game at the weekend against Almería.

The Blaugrana coach believes that his squad should be focussed “more on how it was achieved rather than the final result”, he told reporters. “I want to highlight the performance because we were able to not move a lot by moving the ball a great deal and that gives me great confidence,” he continued. Always exacting with his players and remaining prudent, Guardiola said that the 0-5 “cannot confuse” the squad and that the result “will not do us any good when looking towards the next game”.

Talent and strength

Despite that, Guardiola was happy with the attitude of the players throughout the90 minutes and stated that victory against Basel came about through “talent and strength” of everyone of his team as they “played together and worked hard” throughout. “I sincerely believe that we have played better. With respect to Basel, we have not played as well as we have done in previous games,” he added.

Praise for Bojan and Hleb

Bojan Krkic scored two goals after being named in the starting team for the first time this season and was one of the main stars of the game. “Bojan is a very young player and has much to learn,” the trainer insisted. “He has played very well from the start, above all in the first half, and worked very well in the centre of the pitch. He done well and I am very pleased for him. I have to say that I am delighted with him and not just because of the goals. He deserves it because he is a great lad.

Guardiola was also keen to highlight Aliaksandr Hleb’s performance. “He knows how to play the game so well,” the coach continued. “He can play in four of five different positions. In his case I am especially pleased because I have been able to test him in the centre of the park. I know he will give a lot to the team this season.”

Confidence in the squad

On the matter of squad rotation, Guardiola insisted that he has “faith” in “all his players”. He went on: “The victories always justify the coach’s decision, but when the results do not go our way I will be the first one to explain things. I would never put anyone in the side that I did not think could contribute anything to the game because I have faith that every player here can give something. I am happy because I completely trust them all.”