Josep Guardiola has said that the game with Osasuna marks the start of the most decisive part of the season. Camacho’s side will have to bring out the best in Barça.
The “Tourmalet”, a name coined last season for the toughest stretch of the season in
honour of the infamous Tour de France stage, starts at the Reyno de Navarra. Barça have games
against Osasuna, Rubin Kazan, Athletic Bilbao, Inter and Real Madrid. Guardiola believes “the
next games will determine the future and we’re starting at a ground we have traditionally
found very tough. I will hope to see a cause and effect in the next few games. Osasuna are in top
form. They have only lost one game at home, against Sevilla, and they have very clear ideas about
what to do. It will be a game to test ourselves and a warning ahead of the next few games”.
Osasuna attacking aggression and quality
Guardiola described his views of the Pamplona based side. ”Pandiani is a natural
goalscorer; Camuñas and Juanfran are two very good wingers in the one on one, and they’ll try
to make the most of set pieces like corners and throw-ins. They are a very aggressive team in the
good sense of the word, and will put us under pressure from the first minute and force us to work
very hard”.
Henry and Chygrynskiy
Guardiola also spoke about Thierry Henry, who is about to return from injury.
“Henry will do a lot for us this season. I have no complaints about him until now. He has
always been disposed and willing. I am sure he will appear at the key moments of the season”.
As for adaptation of the Ukrainian Chygrynskiy, Guardiola said
”he’ll be giving his next press conference in Spanish. That says it all. It is a shame
the injury has taken some of the edge out him after he arrived from Donetsk but he is a player who
works hard and he’s adapting very well
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Nominees for FIFA World Player and Puyol
Guardiola said he was delighted to learn that six of his players have been short listed for the
FIFA World Player award, and also that Carles Puyol has extended his contract.
“Congratulations to Puyol and the club because it’s very important for Carles to stay
with us. And I’m happy that six players have been nominated for the FIFA World Player because
that’s also recognition for the whole team. There are a lot of people working from behind
them, and they represent these people.”