25.11.2008 20:12
“I want positive things against Sporting Club”
Vanessa Forns
Although he knows how important it is to win their Champions League group, Josep Guardiola is particularly interested in seeing some positive things from his players in Wednesday night’s game against Sporting Lisbon.
Josep Guardiola made it clear that he does not think FC Barcelona’s season depends in any
kind of way on the way they perform in the Portuguese capital. “I don’t think it is our
most important game until now” he said. “The preliminary game was, because without that
we wouldn’t even be here. Tomorrow’s game is another chance to show we are a good team,
and we’re taking things as seriously as we should. We’re coming here to win because
that’s our duty to the shirt we wear”.
He added that they have come to Portugal to play a good game, and that finishing first or
second will depend “on the way we play”. Guardiola also said that his main intention
was for the team “to play well, be ambitious and search for goals … I want positive
things.”
“Both teams have done their job well”
With two games yet to play, both FC Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon are already assured places
in the second round draw. “Already being qualified at this stage is very fortunate, it means
that both us and them have done our jobs well” said the Barça manager.
Utmost respect
Asked about Wednesday night’s opposition, Pep
Guardiola is aware that they are up against a very strong team with some outstanding individuals.
“If we examine both squads player by player, it is clear that they are both top quality.
Their manager, Paulo Vento, orders them well as a group.” On one particular player, Moutinho,
Guardiola said he admired his versatility because he is the kind of player “that can play in
any of the four midfield positions.” One thing is for sure, to beat Sporting, Barça are going
to have to “put in a very good performance”.
Messi might play
A lot was said about the way the team seemed to be missing a vital ingredient last weekend
without Lionel Messi on the pitch. The Argentinian has travelled to Portugal because his manager
says “there is a chance he will play … he is a very important, decisive player …
Did we draw the other day because he wasn’t there? No. I can say with conviction.”
Playing as a group
No player is more important than the team as a whole. “Leo is a very important player,
and the whole squad knows that. He knows he helps us a lot, not just through his football but
because of his attitude. He knows he can’t do it on his own but that we are stronger with
him. To play well, we need everybody. But if he was so important I would never have let him go to
the Olympics. And we had a really important game back then. But of course, over the year there are
going to be injuries, and we have to protect our players”.
Puyol with pubis trouble
Puyol was left out of the squad, and Josep Guardiola said the reason was “small
problems with his pubis”.