20.09.2008 14:31
“No pressure but we need to win soon”
Berta Brau
Satisfied with how his team is playing, Pep Guardiola has assured everyone that there is no nervous tension about winning despite the fact that “a win is the most important thing and it’s essential to keep that in mind”.
Pep Guardiola was speaking at a press conference following his team’s final training session
before leaving Barcelona for Asturias. The azulgrana manager admitted that “despite there
being some aspects in which we need to be more convincing, like, for example, pressure in
attack”, we need to “continue with the style of play” played so far.
No pressure
The azulgrana manager said that “the team
doesn’t feel under pressure or nervous” but he recognises that “despite playing
well, it’s logical that the team need to start winning soon”. According to Guardiola,
and despite the formation and tactics for the upcoming game being generally “the same”
as in previous games, “a win is the most important thing we need to keep in mind”.
Return to El Molinon
Barça face newly promoted Sporting Gijon on Sunday and can expect a very different game from
the one played in Soria against Numancia: “It will be totally different. Sporting is a more
open, dynamic team which creates more danger in attack and so opens things up more for their
opponents”.
Goals scored and conceded
A lack of goals by the team is not something which worries Guardiola and
he is convinced that they will come: “It’s a question of mentality. The players we have
are more than capable of scoring, and I don’t think it’s something which should only be
analyzed with certain players in mind.” On the other hand are goals conceded. Barça have
conceded a goal in each of their last four games. This, however, doesn’t worry Guardiola as
“our opponents don’t get forward too often and don’t create too much
danger”. Nevertheless, he recognises that “we must stop them scoring when they do
create these chances”.
Bojan’s involvement
The Barça manager explained that there shouldn’t be any debates or discussions
surrounding the number of minutes played by Bojan Krkic and he assured everyone that he was dealing
with “an excellent player who can help the team a lot”. On this topic Guardiola did say
that “every player wants to play in every minute of every game but only eleven can
play”.
Iniesta always close to the opposition box
Asked about the position Andres Iniesta should play, given the diversity of the player’s
game, Guardiola said that “he can play on either side but, whenever possible, he should be as
close to the opposition box as possible”. He went on to say that “Iniesta is a player
who can turn a game around and he is very good in one-on-ones and these are qualities which you
can’t make the most of by playing him away from the opposition goal”.