12.01.2011 23:59
Guardiola impressed and pleased
Vanessa Forns
Pep Guardiola was delighted with his team's display in the Copa del Rey triumph against Real Betis and felt that a giant stride has been taken towards a place in the semi finals.
The Blaugrana coach was careful to sound his usual note of caution as he warned that bigger
surprises had been known in football, but the 5-0 scoreline was fairly convincing. "It is a
fantastic result to push us towards the semis," he said. "In the history of football there have
been a lot of surprises though. We will still go there and be prudent."
Real Betis are top of the second division and Guardiola warned before the game that they
would give his side a match and so it proved, despite the eventual outcome. "Betis had five clear
chances at our goalkeeper and that has been extraordinary," the trainer commented. "It would be a
lack of respect to say that the tie has been won. One must never assume anything and we will have
to take the second game very seriously. There are 90 minutes left against a very good team. We will
now watch the video of the game to see what we can do better."
Betis praise
After Betis' confident approach to the match Guardiola admitted that he
was impressed. "It is a fact that they were one of the best teams to have been here this season,"
he continued. "It was a fantastic game, not just because of the result but also because both teams
had plenty of chances. They complimented by making a huge effort and they were very intense. I want
to congratulate Betis on their display because there players were daring and they had so many
opportunities. They are a very good team and I give us a lot of merit for winning the game."
Intense game
"Today everyone saw a great game between two teams that created chances," Guardiola
continued on the same theme. "The fans saw a side that wanted to attack play another team that
wanted to attack. In the end it was an intense game and was very entertaining."
Messi compliments
Bojan Krkic was not called upon to play and Guardiola explained why. "It was purely
me managing the squad," he said. "I do not want the same players to always play these games and I
intend to give everyone a chance." On Messi's performance that saw him score a hat-trick Guardiola
added: "He had a great game and he must be congratulated. He has again scored three and has played
very well. I want him to be happy and for him to continue like this."
Trio pride
On the parading of the Ballon d'Or by the three finalists Guardiola was pleased.
"In Zurich we did not take a photo of all three of them and that is why we wanted them all to be
together," he commented. "They should all be happy with the way they played in 2010."