11.03.2009 23:59
Guardiola: “We’ll go far with this spirit”
Vanessa Forns
Once again, Guardiola has highlighted the fighting spirit of the team has shown match after match, and which this Wednesday helped send Barça though to the next round of the Champions League.
FC Barcelona won a place in the CL quarterfinals on Wednesday night after a convincing 5-2 victory
over Lyon in the Camp Nou. Speaking at the post match press conference, Josep Guardiola told
reporters: “The players were brilliant in the first half. It’s a pity about the (Lyon)
goal in the final minute and the other at the beginning of the second half. All in all, while we
weren’t so brilliant (in the second half) we didn’t concede any efforts on goal”.
A long way to go
With the same caution he has displayed all season, the Barça coach enjoyed Wednesday
night’s success while reminding everybody that there is still a long way to go in the
competition and called on the players to focus on next weekend’s league match away to
Almería: “There’s a lot to go. We’re looking at some tough months ahead. With
this spirit, all together we’ll go far. We have to work. There’s so much (of the
season) left that it’s not worth speculating. We have to recover mentally and physically to
go to Almería and win the three points”.
Among the European elite
Barça now joins an elite group of eight clubs in the draw for the quarterfinals on 20th
March: “We’re among the best eight teams in Europe. This is a game, a spectacle, and we
should be happy because one of the eight best teams in Europe will come to the Camp Nou”.
“Whoever we get it’ll be good”
Asked about his preferences in the next round, Guardiola revealed:
“Now we’ve got Almería. Whoever we get in the draw will be welcome. We’ll study
them hard and try and find out their weak points. They’re all very good. There are the four
English teams, and I’d also like to congratulate Villarreal. As for the Germans and the
Portuguese, they’re historic teams in their countries. Whoever we get it’ll be
good”.
The importance of the fans
“I’d like to thank the fans for filling the stadium. People enjoyed themselves
again. Obviously we have to make an even bigger effort than up to now. In Madrid they’ll soon
forget about the CL and concentrate on the league. Without the help of the fans we won’t be
able to manage it. If they give us a hand, we’ll be fighting until the end”.
Praise
Finally, Guardiola was full of praise for his players, making special mention of Sylvinho,
Henry, and Piqué: “I’d like to single out Sylvinho. I’m very happy for him.
Henry’s talent is always there. He helps us a lot and he knows that without the team he
isn’t going anywhere. I’m asking him to keep going. Don’t stop. As for Piqué,
he’s having a great season. He’s young and has to keep improving”.
Laporta: “A match that deserves all the praise it gets”
A delighted Joan Laporta told reporters: “This match deserves all the praise it gets. The
fans enjoyed some magnificent football. It’s really great supporting Barça. The Barça fans
have enjoyed themselves. Goals are always welcome. The three strikers scored and Keita put the
icing on the cake. Whenever we have the support of the fans, the team plays well”. He also
had words of support for Lyon: “They showed they are a great team. In the second half they
had a lot of the game”.
Referring to possible rivals in the next round, the Club president said: “In order to
win the Champions League, you have to beat some great teams. I want (the next opponent) to be a
good team and for Barça to go through to the semifinals”.
Asked about the elimination of Real Madrid against Liverpool, Joan Laporta was restrained in
his comments: “I don’t wish misfortune on anybody. It’s an important blow to
their morale. I don’t know how they’ll react. But I’m focussed on Barça and
I’m very happy. All those that have fallen along the way are great teams”. In terms of
the Spanish league, however, Laporta believes Real Madrid could benefit from their elimination from
the CL: “They’ll be more rested than us because they’re only left in one
competition”.
Finally, Mr Laporta dedicated the victory to the memory of Armand Carabén, a former chief
executive of the Club who died exactly eight years.