FCBARCELONA.CAT

11.03.2010 12:15

Third game without Guardiola

Edgar Fornós

FC Barcelona face Valencia on Sunday, and it’s the third time Guardiola has been suspended. He suffered the same fate twice last season against Bayern in the Champions League and Osasuna in the League.

Josep Guardiola’s sending off in Almeria means this will be the third time his disciples will be expected to play without their master on the bench. He also missed last year’s quarter final of the Champions League against Bayern Munich and the penultimate game of the Liga campaign against Osasuna.

Two red cards were for the same reason

Both against Bayern Munich and on Saturday at the Juegos del Mediterráneo, it was possible penalty on Leo Messi that caused the Catalans’ fury. What he said to the referee on Saturday was considered serious enough for him to be sent to the stands.

Muniesa red enrages Guardiola

When he sent Marc Muniesa on for his debut against Osasuna only to see him get a harsh yellow card following his first intervention in the game, Guardiola couldn’t help protesting, and suffered a red card as a consequence.

Results without the manager

Both games played so far without Pep Guardiola there to direct affairs ended in draws. At the Allianz Arena, in the Champions League return leg, that was enough to ensure passage into the next round, while the last game of the league season, with the title already secure, also ended 1-1, this time against Deportivo.