FCBARCELONA.CAT

24.01.2009 23:58

Guardiola: “The team were patient”

Anna Segura

For Josep Guardiola, one of his side’s strengths was “patience” in the win against Numancia. “We’re one step closer to the league title, one game less to play, 18 still to go”.

With the exception of Marquez, who is injured, Josep Guardiola played the same 11 as he had done in Soria back in August. For the coach, the difference was that “we’ve been together longer now, are we’re more confident thanks to the results”.

The fans’ support

Josep Guardiola knows that the game against Numancia was hard, but one of his side’s strengths was “patience. It was difficult for us to get into the game “but the fans helped a lot”.

“One game less”

Barça have made a great start of the second round of the league. The coach modestly said “We’re one step closer to the league title, one game less to play, 18 still to go”.

Difficult sides

Guardiola congratulated Numancia for their “well-organised defence and their use of Barkero for counter-attacks. “They could have made it harder if it hadn’t been for our patience”.

The coach reminded us that “Barça always finds it hard to beat this type of team. We have some tough games coming up”.

Messi

Commenting on speculation that Real Madrid want to sign Messi, the FC Barcelona coach believes Messi “should be left in peace, so he can focus on training”. Guardiola thinks that after the Christmas break “he looks better the ever. He’s the owner of his future, he just needs to know that this is his home and we’ll give him whatever help necessary”.