Josep Guardiola has reiterated the importance of the cup tie with Benidorm. “If we don’t get things right, there a chance we could go out” he said.
He also explained that “I get the feeling that we are going to have to be very careful. I
have seen things that give me the impression that we could slip up one of these days, and if there
are any slips against Benidorm, we’re out”. Basically, Guardiola does not think there
is any room for relaxation or thoughts that the job was already done when they won 1-0 in the away
leg.
Gut feeling
Asked why he should think such a thing after the thrashings
Barça have been dealing out of late, Guardiola replied that “we are a very big team and a lot
is demanded of us. But I saw things against Valladolid. They came forward much more just in the
first half than most teams do in the entire game, we were very poorly positioned and allowed
counter attacks that perhaps against other sides could have led to us letting in goals.”
Squad undecided
Guardiola also reiterated that he won’t be announcing his squad until the day of the
match. “I still don’t know who will play. I want to see how training goes on Wednesday
and then decide.” But one thing he does know for sure. He will not be picking any Barça
Atlètic players for the game.
An important competition
The manager also spoke about the high value he associates to the knockout competition.
“We are not here to throw anything away. It is 10 years since we won this title. I am trying
to make an important thing out of the cup.” He also described what a brilliant feeling it is
to take part in the grand final, and how much he would like to be there.
To view this content you need the latest version of the Flash Player
Cup keepers
Guardiola also spoke about the goalkeeping situation in the cup. He will be speaking their
specialist coach, Juan Carlos Unzué, before deciding who to pick. But he also pointed out that one
of them, Albert Jorquera, “had bellyache and stomach problems today”.