FCBARCELONA.CAT

06.11.2009 14:53

Guardiola unconcerned by lack of goals

David Puig

Josep Guardiola is not concerned that FC Barcelona have not been converting their chances in recent matches and explained that he has been impressed with Real Mallorca's form this season.

The Blaugrana boss reflected on missed opportunities in front of goal by his team, but feels he would be more bothered if they stopped creating the chances. "It worries my relatively little that we have not scored many goals and I do not have the feeling that it is concerning the players," he told a press conference on Friday. "We have played against teams that have set themselves up well defensively and despite not scoring, we had 13 chances against Rubin, so I am calm. The goals will come."

Euro optimis

On the team's Champions League campaign the Barça boss stated: "I am conscious that we could not qualify, but I am optimistic. We depend upon ourselves to progress and I am confident hat we can do it and that we will be strong enough. I have complete faith in my players. The team has done well in every Champions League game so far."

Mallorca praise

Real Mallorca visit Camp Nou on Saturday and Guardiola has been impressed with them this season. "They are fifth in the table and that says it all," he explained. "They have a very good coach and their team is well structured. They are also the fifth highest scoring team in the division and despite all the changes to personnel in the summer they have still obtained some good results."

Ibrahimovic improvement

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been a Barcelona player for 100 days and Guardiola looked back on the striker's arrival. "At the beginning he was suffering physically because he had not done all the pre-season training. But after four or five games his performances changed and now he is much more decisive."

Beckham Rule

ON the proposed changes to the 'Beckham Rule' regarding taxation of high earning foreigners, Guardiola was sympathetic. "In times of crisis everyone should come together to solve the problem. The Government as the legal authority but I would like them to explain why they have decided to do this."