12.12.2010 23:56

Guardiola delighted with display

Roger Bogunyà

Pep Guardiola was delighted with FC Barcelona's display against Real Sociedad on Sunday evening and believes that everyone should appreciate just how good the football that they are playing really is.

The Blaugrana boss could not hide his pleasure following the 5-0 triumph that came thanks to goals from Lionel Messi (2), David Villa, Andrés Iniesta and Bojan Krkic two weeks after the win over Real Madrid. "After beating your main rivals and with all the compliments we have had, I think that there is a danger of letting our guard down," Guardiola explained. "But each time these players teach us a lesson. I do not want to hand out praise easily, but I think we should be conscious of what this team is doing. We are privileged to be present for this."

Players know

Barça have scored 26 goals with conceding any in their last seven matches, but Guardiola does not want to consider the team to be perfect. "The things that we do not do well we will improve upon with hard work and unity," he continued. "We no longer find it necessary to tell the players what they have to do. They already know."

Pedro praise

Pedro shone in the game against la Real and Guardiola has been pleased with his recent performances. "It is better that not all the headlines are about Pedro," the coach said. "He feels more comfortable like that. He does what he does and does not want all the attention. If everyone put in the effort he does then that would make us incredibly difficult to beat."

Difficult trip

Looking ahead to the visit to Espanyol next weekend Guardiola added: "I have immense respect for Espanyol. What (Mauricio) Pochettino has done is incredible. They play very good football and they are dynamic. We have struggled against them in recent seasons and that is because they do things well. We know they are unbeaten at home and this could be our most difficult away game."