FCBARCELONA.CAT

06.05.2009 23:57

Guardiola: "This is a dream"

Anna Segura

FC Barcelona coach Guardiola could not hide his delight after his side qualified for the final of the UEFA Champions League on away goals against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and while admitting they had enjoyed some luck he felt that they deserved it.

A late equaliser from Andrés Iniesta stunned Chelsea and gave the Blaugrana a place in Rome later this month against Manchester United to add to the fact they are already in the Copa del Rey final and have a seven-point lead at the top of the league with four games left to play.

"It is a dream," Guardiola told reporters after the game as he looked forward to the next few weeks and hopes that "we can take everything after all we have done". Looking back over the campaign, the trainer explained: "I did not expect that this year would be so good."

"We deserve it"

Guardiola then wanted to congratulate his player because "from the first minute we have tried to score a goal". But Michael Essien's opener "conditioned the game" as "we are a team that likes to find a lot of space". After Iniesta's late effort put Barça through, the coach stated: "To reach this point in the competition a but of luck is required, although I believe that we deserve it."

Luck and ability

Chelsea were keen to play their defensive system even at home and Guardiola felt that "they did not come out to go forward at us" and added that "we persisted and we wanted to go forward and attack all the time. But luck and talent have decided this."

Half-time talk

On what he said to the players during the half-time interval, the Barça boss said that "we had to continue until the final whistle. If someone was not going to give everything then they could come off, but it was clear that everyone did give their all".

Celebrating with the fans

After the end of the game the FC Barcelona players stayed out and enjoyed the moment with their fans and Guardiola felt that was right. "We had more of a party on the pitch than in the dressing room. We enjoyed it with our fans that came over."

Iniesta the hero

Iniesta became the hero of the hour as he netted a stunning goal and Guardiola was delighted that the midfielder had earned himself some headlines. "He thoroughly deserves it and he will remember that for the rest of his career".