Josep Guardiola has thanked the Barça fans for all their support this week and during the match at the Camp Nou. But he was disappointed that the team is not going to Madrid.
“We tried. Thank you everybody for making us feel such support. I am sorry not to have been
able to take these supporters to Madrid after they have done so much”. Those were the
manager’s words in his post-match press conference after going out of the Champions League to
Inter Milan.
Attention turns to the League
He revealed, not surprisingly, that “the players aren’t feeling too good”,
and added that “we have had a good Champions League and played well throughout the
competition”. But there are only three days until Barça are in action again. “We have
to recover and we don’t have much time. Now we have to prepare well for the league. We have
to lift ourselves, and get our spirits back after this game. We have to meet and speak a lot. There
are four games left before the end of the season. We know we have to win them and that’s what
we’ll be aiming to do.”
Motta red card
The FCB manager was aware that Motta being sent off in the 28th minute “determined the
way the match went. With 10 they were always going to sit back and defend and stop looking to
attack. With 10 against 11 they didn’t do anything.”
Lack of continuity
He felt that his team “was missing continuity in its play. Every cross led to a foul.
It’s never easy when they have nine players in their area. Attacking is always the hardest
part of a game and they were very good defensively. We wanted to keep things simple and be patient.
The players were immense in everything they did … but the first leg influenced things”.
Proud of Barça
Guardiola ended by categorically stating that FC Barcelona is a team that knows how to lose.
“This year we’ve won three titles. We have 87 points in the League and reached the semi
final of the Champions League, so we are hardly victims of our own success. This club knows how to
win and also knows full well what it is like to lose. We put on a show in that respect and I am
very proud to be part of this team.”
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Laporta: “We need to look ahead, we still have the league”
After going out of the Champions League, Joan Laporta said that the team “did everything they
could” and reminded listeners that there is still the league to play for. “This team
deserves a huge ovation, because they have always had a go, and have stayed faithful to their style
of play. We set the pace of the game. I give my wholehearted thanks to the manager and the players
because it’s what they deserve”, said the FCB president.
On the game, Joan Laporta admitted that Mourinho’s side “defended very
well” while Barça “did all we could, and we just have to accept that”. From here,
he feels FC Barcelona “have to focus on the league” and bring some joy to the
supporters who have got so much behind the team. “Our fans deserve the utmost thanks, they
have unanimously given their unconditional support … we all have to stick together and keep
working this way” he concluded.