FCBARCELONA.CAT

25.08.2008 19:40

Guardiola “We have to be prudent”

Anna Segura

The manager of the football first team has recognised that alñthough the eliminatory is pretty much wrapped up, with the first leg’s 4-0, it doesn’t mean it’s over: “We have to be prudent. It’s the most important game of the year”.

In a pressroom full of media from here as well as Poland, Joseph Guardiola appeared in a press conference before the transcendental game on Tuesday against Wisla Krakow. The Barça manager was clear that they would have to “go out and win the public and not just get through the eliminatory”.

The most important game

Right now, for Josep Guardiola the return game of the Champions’ League preliminary is “the most difficult of the season”. Despite the 4-0 in the home game, the Catalan trainer doesn’t want his men to relax: “We are here because we are not in the Champions’ League yet. We have to be very prudent. We have a good result from the first leg but we are still in the preliminary”. Guardiola insistedthat “there is too much at stake to take it lightly”.

Respect for Wisla

Despite heavily defeating Wisla in the first game, Josep Guardiola doesn’t hide his respect for the Polish team: “They are a rival who deserve a lot of respect because they no what’s at stake and they have good players in defence”. Moreover the Barça manager that “the Champions of any league are people you should respect”.

Open to any signings

Asked about the words of Txiki Begiristain in which he admitted that the squad was not closed yet, Guardiola assured that “I’m happy with the people we have. We are waiting to see if anything interesting comes up and then we’ll go for him, but it doesn’t really worry me”.

Names

On Eto’o, Guardiola explained, “it began with us, we both talked, with the team and loving him and him loving the club we decided that he should stay with us”.

As for Pedro and Víctor Sánchez, players from the reserve team now in the first team, the manager recognised that “they are still with us and they will have cards with the reserves so that one day they can play for Barça Atlètic. But they are staying with us because there aren’t many of us and I’m sure they can help us”.

He’s thinking about the day to day

Even though the league championship begins this weekend, Josep Guardiuola is still unclear as to his first eleven “as it’s silly to do so”. He argued, “I play those who are best or give me most confidence. I still haven’t thought about the game against Numancia as the most important thing now is this eliminatory and tomorrow’s game”. The barça manager also added that “during the year there will be lots of changes, lots of different line ups and everyone will take part”.