25.10.2008 23:57
Guardiola. “We’ll know where we are at the end of the League”
Anna Segura
Pep Guardiola remains cautious and attaches little importance to the fact that Barça is provisional League leader. He expressed his satisfaction with the way his players performed and said that you have to “take each game as it comes".
After the match Josep Guardiola immediately went to congratulate the team both individually and as
a group in the changing room. He says that Barça’s big wins in recent weeks are because
“the players are playing well” and not because “the manager’s performing
miracles”.
He attaches little importance to the fact that Barça is provisional League leader after
beating Almeria: “What is important is to win each game as it comes and we’ll know
where we are at the end of the League.”
Surprised by the goals
Josep Guardiola expressed his surprise at the thrashings his
team is handing out as “they’re not normal”. He pointed out that during the first
games of the season “goals were scored early on” and emphasized that “we create
lots of chances and they don’t”.
Players
Barça’s coach spoke about Andrés Iniesta and Dani Alves. He is pleased with the ability
of the former to play wide or in midfield: “He’s there to help out and do it.
He’s a role model for the academy and his team-mates about how to behave as a player.”
Then just as he said at the press conference before the Almeria game, Guardiola repeated his
view that
Alves
“is a player who helps us a lot with his work rate and commitment and we’re very
happy with him”.
Numancia line-up
Josep Guardiola put out the same players against Almeria who
took the field against Numancia (
1-0
). “Against Numancia we played worse but we had some bits like today,” he said.
“However, our positional play and other things were poor back then. Now the wins make
everything a lot simpler.”
Laporta: “We’re working hard”
Chairman Joan Laporta was happy with the performance of the team. “We’re working hard,
taking our chances and showing how good we are game after game,” he said.
“There’s a lot of hard work that’s gone into this and lots of people are doing
their utmost to make sure it all turns out alright.” Nonetheless, Laporta pointed out that
“we haven’t won anything yet” and so the team shouldn’t be
“excessively praised”. He also said that he hopes Eto’o can continue with his
goalscoring streak.
Technical secretary Txiki Begiristain was impressed by “the drive and the desire to
score” of the side. “We’re on the money a lot of the time and that makes you feel
more confident,” he commented. Nine wins in a row mean the team is in a “positive
dynamic” which in turn generates confidence. “Players believe in themselves and their
ability and you have to make the most of that,” he said.