08.01.2011 23:59

Guardiola: “It was not easy”

Vanessa Forns

Josep Guardiola, speaking about the 4-0 win at Riazor, said “it was not easy, I’d have liked to have seen more chances but sometimes you just can’t do it”.

FC Barcelona have now won nine games on the road, the whole of the first half of the season, and “it was a game with few chances and we found it hard to beat their structure. Historically, Barça have struggled to win here, so it gives me great satisfaction”.

Pleased with the team

Guardiola added that “You never know after a game as intense as the one in Bilbao how they will respond, but they clearly did well. We controlled the game and we found the goals at the right time. The team was like it always is, we hope we can keep up this dynamic.”

All round squad

Asked why he left out some key members of the team, the boss said “They are all Barça players and they all have the right to play. I have all the confidence in the world. The players that came in had a fantastic game, anyone who plays does what they have to.”

League debut for Afellay

Ibrahim Afellay played his first league game tonight, and Guardiola said “he played the ball well and showed he knows how to play in a team… he will contribute a lot because he’s so dynamic”.