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03.11.2009 16:22
“I suspect a similar game to the Camp Nou”
Roger Bogunyà
Despite the cold, Josep Guardiola does not expect a very different game to the one played a fortnight ago at the Camp Nou. He believes there are small details to be modified in order to avoid a second defeat to Rubin Kazan.
Guardiola admitted that the 2-1 defeat in Barcelona “was not a matter of luck”, but that the visitors were a great side. Guardiola is aware that the Russian champions can play very good football, and doesn’t want anybody to use the cold as an excuse. “It will be cold, that’s the way it is. We shouldn’t think about that for a moment more. The team wants to achieve big things this year, and we’ll have to play in cold grounds, on muddy pitches, against twelve men … if it’s cold here, then cold it is.”
“No time for self-flagellation”
Neither does Guardiola want to hear any more laments over the two points
dropped in injury time in Pamplona. “What happened has happened, and we need to think about
the things we did right. We have to prepare for the next game and there is no time for
self-flagellation.” He also denied that the team passed the ball around too slowly on
Saturday, claiming they were actually slower in this respect against Almería and Valencia.
“All 19 are fit”
Asked about Dani Alves’ fitness, Guardiola said that the Brazilian, who was
only given the all-clear on Monday, is as ready as any of the others travelling to Kazan.
“All 19 that have travelled are fit to play” he said. “Despite the injury, Alves
has trained in perfect conditions”.
An open group
Whatever happens on Wednesday, Josep Guardiola predicts that this group will go down to the last day. “It will be tough for all four teams” he said, believing that any of the teams could qualify. “It’s a very good group” he concluded.
Attacking with intention
Josep Guardiola only has words of praise for the Tatar outfit. “I don’t know which
players will play, but they are a marvellously organised team, and very quick on the counter. We
will have to be very careful about how we attack. There are very good teams in Russia, and they
take their moments well, but they also push their lines forward and look for attacking plays”
he said.
Asked about Rubin Kazan left back Ansaldi, he admitted that FC Barcelona have had their eye on him for some time. However, at the moment “we are delighted with our two full backs” he said, referring to Abidal and Maxwell.
Asked about Rubin Kazan left back Ansaldi, he admitted that FC Barcelona have had their eye on him for some time. However, at the moment “we are delighted with our two full backs” he said, referring to Abidal and Maxwell.
