FCBARCELONA.CAT

02.10.2009 14:31

Guardiola calls for attacking discipline

Vanessa Forns

Josep Guardiola believe that his FC Barcelona must be disciplined going forward if they are to record a sixth successive league win when Almería visit Camp Nou on Saturday evening.

"If we do not go forward with some order against them then we will have no chances," he explained. "If we do not maintain our discipline then we will suffer." Guardiola was then asked about whether Barça could move clear at the top given that Real Madrid face a tricky trip to Sevilla on Sunday. "Whether we are top now is not important. It would mean nothing and we would win nothing," he explained. "There would still be 32 games remaining and you can imagine what can happen. We will take things day-by-day and the only thing I am focussed on is Almería. Their quality and strengths and working out how to counter-act that is my concern."

Focussed on Almería

"It is always easy to think that another game might be favourable towards us. But we have to focus solely on Almería. The results in other games are all the same to me. There is still such a long way to go that the only thing I want to do is to beat Almería and then look ahead," Guardiola added.

Difficult opponents

Looking at Almería, the Barça coach commented: "If we do not do well going forward then Almería could cause us problems because they are very good on the counter-attack. If we do not go forward being disciplined then we will suffer."

International games

Guardiola also believes that matches before and after international encounters can be tricky. "These games can be dangerous because there is a certain tendency of the players to go off. That is the biggest problem we face, apart from the strength of Almería."

Iniesta and Spain

Andrés Iniesta could be called up by Spain for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers, but Pep Guardiola wants assurances about the player that has just returned from injury. "I spoke to Fernando Hierro (Spain's sporting director) and he told me that they will be careful," the Barça trainer explained. "We will try to speak to the fitness trainer to let him know what work to do. We are calm and th player is fine."

Pleased with the team

"The players have surprised me," Guardiola then continued as he reflected on Barça's start to the season. "It says a lot about the competitive capacity that the team have. When they win they are relatively happy and when they lose you can see they are uncomfortable. Even when they do not play well they are not happy. That is admirable."

Puyol celebration

On Friday captain Carles Puyol celebrates ten years since his first-team debut and Guardiola was pleased for him. "In the world of spot it is often difficult to have such continuity that he has had. He started off well and in training he is incredible. He has not stopped growing and now has the stability and experience that his years at the top of given him. The club wants him to stay and I hope that a new deal can be sorted as soon as possible."