11.03.2010 12:15
Third game without Guardiola
Edgar Fornós
FC Barcelona face Valencia on Sunday, and it’s the third time Guardiola has been suspended. He suffered the same fate twice last season against Bayern in the Champions League and Osasuna in the League.
Josep Guardiola’s sending off in Almeria means this will be the
third time his disciples will be expected to play without their master on the bench. He also missed
last year’s quarter final of the Champions League against Bayern Munich and the penultimate
game of the Liga campaign against Osasuna.
Two red cards were for the same reason
Both against Bayern Munich and on Saturday at the Juegos del Mediterráneo, it was possible
penalty on Leo Messi that caused the Catalans’ fury. What he said to the referee on Saturday
was considered serious enough for him to be sent to the stands.
Muniesa red enrages Guardiola
When he sent Marc Muniesa on for his debut against Osasuna only to see him get a
harsh yellow card following his first intervention in the game, Guardiola couldn’t help
protesting, and suffered a red card as a consequence.
Results without the manager
Both games played so far without Pep Guardiola there to direct affairs ended in draws. At the
Allianz Arena, in the Champions League return leg, that was enough to ensure passage into the next
round, while the last game of the league season, with the title already secure, also ended 1-1,
this time against Deportivo.