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27.08.2009 15:25
“Either we have a good game or it’ll be impossible to win”
Berta Brau
Guardiola told reporters on Thursday that he is fully focussed on Friday’s game and well aware that Shakhtar will be a tough opponent: “We’re facing a great challenge. It’s difficult to play a European final”.
Guardiola and Alves spoke at a pre-match press conference in the Grimaldi Forum on Thursday. With the seriousness, respect and caution that characterises him, Guardiola emphasised that nothing short of a good performance would be enough to win the game: “They’re a team that like to bring the ball out from defence and involve the centre halves. If we don’t press well we will suffer. It’s clear to me that either we have a good game or it’ll be impossible to win”.
“It’s very difficult to get here”
Guardiola also highlighted how difficult it is to reach a European Super
Cup final: “We’re on the verge of playing a European final and that’s something
very important. It’s very difficult to get here, much more than people think”.
That’s why he’s determined to focus 100% on the match and put the Chygrynskyy deal to
one side until after the match: “It’s not appropriate to take about any Shakhtar
player. There’ll be time to talk about that later. After the final I’ll be told about
the situation”.
Not worried about the awards
On Thursday afternoon, the awards for the best players of last
season’s Champions League will take place in Monaco. Five Barça players have been nominated
but Guardiola is not worried by this despite the fact that the ceremony takes place just 24 hours
before the match: “The nominees know what it’s about. These things happen when you win
the Champions League but they’re dealing with it well. Also the ceremony is at a sensible
time and they’ll get to the training session. I’m sure there won’t be any
problems”.
Guardiola’s priority
Asked about his priorities among the different competitions, Guardiola answered by stating his principle of taking the season one game at a time: “At this moment the most important competition is this one. The next match is always the most important match. I don’t give priority to any match or any competition. The priority is any match or any tournament we play”.
The state of the pitch
Guardiola had some harsh words to say about the rumoured poor state of the pitch in the Stade Louis II: “I haven’t seen it but if it’s true I don’t understand it. They’ve been preparing this for a long time and they know this match is always played. I really don’t understand. We need a pitch in good condition”.
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Alves doesn’t want any nasty surprises
Dani Alves put Barça to the sword when he played for Sevilla in the 2006 final and knows full well
that there’s no room for complacency: “We have to concentrate very hard because
it’s very motivating for the opponent to be able to beat a European champion like Barça. We
hope to play well and that there are no surprises”.
He stressed that the Barça players who took part in that game won’t make the same mistake twice: “People who have seen both sides of the coin learn their lessons. Our players are intelligent and know that in a final, if you are not in the right mind, you are bound to encounter surprises. They won't repeat the same mistakes”.
Asked about the pitch, he told reporters: “If the pitch is bad it’ll be bad for both sides. Whatever the case we’re here to win the title independently of the state of the pitch”.
He stressed that the Barça players who took part in that game won’t make the same mistake twice: “People who have seen both sides of the coin learn their lessons. Our players are intelligent and know that in a final, if you are not in the right mind, you are bound to encounter surprises. They won't repeat the same mistakes”.
Asked about the pitch, he told reporters: “If the pitch is bad it’ll be bad for both sides. Whatever the case we’re here to win the title independently of the state of the pitch”.
