05.02.2010 14:21
Guardiola: "Ibra is playing to a very high level"
Anna Segura
Josep Guardiola is not at all concerned by Ibrahimovic’s lack of goalscoring form. He believes the Swede is capable “of doing things that are not tangible with the life he gives us".
One of the names to crop up in Josep Guardiola’s press conference today was that of Zlatan
Ibrahimovic. The striker has been on target 13 times this season, but hasn’t scored in any of
the last five outings. But Guardiola is not overly worried about the Swede’s lull in
goalscoring form.
Under pressure
Guardiola knows that at FC Barcelona “centre forwards are judged
by the number of goals they score … but he has the capacity to do so many other things. He
offers so many resources that he doesn’t live from scoring goals alone. They are not things
that are tangible but they give life to the team.” He does not feel the lack of goals
“is a trauma for the player, he is very strong mentally and takes it as a challenge".
Getafe motivated
Getafe are next up at the Camp Nou, and are coming on the back of a cup tie with Sevilla. But
Guardiola feels motivation will make up for any potential tiredness as “games against Getafe
have always been very difficult. You just have to look at their players, who come from very good
youth systems and can play good football. They can tie you in knots.” He added that the side
from Madrid has enjoyed one of its strongest starts ever to a season in the top flight.
Faith in his players
Although it is some time since Barça played a midweek tie, the coach
does not feel they are losing “competitive tension” and is satisfied “with how we
are and the way we are training.” But he will also have to judge how they can react to long
weeks without matches, an unusual situation for the team these days.
Praise for Dalmau and Montoya
The final training session on Saturday at the Camp Nou will serve to asses the
fitness of Alves and Abidal. Youth player Albert Dalmau will be training with the first team again
on Saturday and the manager spoke a little about him and his colleague Montoya. “There are
two very promising full backs in the reserve team, and they are in great condition. They are highly
aggressive and dynamic".
"Chygrynskiy will make it"
On Thursday, Chygrynskiy made it clear that he will "triumph at Barça". Speaking to the press
today, Guardiola declared "that’s two of us who believe that. I am convinced.” The
coach has always spoken in defence of the Ukrainian, and said “little by little, we are
gaining ground".