FCBARCELONA.CAT

05.02.2010 14:21

Guardiola: "Ibra is playing to a very high level"

Anna Segura

Josep Guardiola is not at all concerned by Ibrahimovic’s lack of goalscoring form. He believes the Swede is capable “of doing things that are not tangible with the life he gives us".

One of the names to crop up in Josep Guardiola’s press conference today was that of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The striker has been on target 13 times this season, but hasn’t scored in any of the last five outings. But Guardiola is not overly worried about the Swede’s lull in goalscoring form.

Under pressure

Guardiola knows that at FC Barcelona “centre forwards are judged by the number of goals they score … but he has the capacity to do so many other things. He offers so many resources that he doesn’t live from scoring goals alone. They are not things that are tangible but they give life to the team.” He does not feel the lack of goals “is a trauma for the player, he is very strong mentally and takes it as a challenge".

Getafe motivated

Getafe are next up at the Camp Nou, and are coming on the back of a cup tie with Sevilla. But Guardiola feels motivation will make up for any potential tiredness as “games against Getafe have always been very difficult. You just have to look at their players, who come from very good youth systems and can play good football. They can tie you in knots.” He added that the side from Madrid has enjoyed one of its strongest starts ever to a season in the top flight.

Faith in his players

Although it is some time since Barça played a midweek tie, the coach does not feel they are losing “competitive tension” and is satisfied “with how we are and the way we are training.” But he will also have to judge how they can react to long weeks without matches, an unusual situation for the team these days.

Praise for Dalmau and Montoya

The final training session on Saturday at the Camp Nou will serve to asses the fitness of Alves and Abidal. Youth player Albert Dalmau will be training with the first team again on Saturday and the manager spoke a little about him and his colleague Montoya. “There are two very promising full backs in the reserve team, and they are in great condition. They are highly aggressive and dynamic".