20.12.2010 14:30
Guardiola: “We must not allow our level to drop”
Anna Segura
Pep Guardiola sought to calm the euphoria surrounding his FC Barcelona side after the incredible derby win at the weekend as he believes that there is still a long way to go in the season before anyone can start celebrating.
The Blaugrana's 1-5 win at Espanyol on Saturday continued the team's superb run of form and give
the fans even more reason to be optimistic that the coach and his players can add another trophy
this season to their already impressive haul. Guardiola, however, wants to keep his feet on the
ground and explained that nobody within the club will be carried away. "There is still a long way
to go and people want us to just continue to do as well as we have been," he said.
Staying focussed
"We are grateful for the compliments, but if we have one bad game
on Tuesday and we could be out of one competition," the coach stated as he warned that complacency
could cause problems in the Copa del Rey match in midweek. "We have to win things again and to keep
things going at the club," he added.
Improving things
"There are always small things that can be done better," Guardiola continued. "We
should be attentive not to let anything drop. What ensures that sportsmen maintain the required
tension is the fear of losing. We will keep on going though."
Athletic tie
Barça meet Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday and Guardiola thinks it
will be a tough game despite Fernando Llorente being out for Los Leones. "He is a key player for
them, but they have played without them and they have other stars," he explained. "If we think that
only by playing with the same 11 players that have played recently then we can win any game then we
would be making a mistake. Every player in the squad wants to win things."
Games against Athletic are never easy and Guardiola wants the players to refocus. "This will
be completely different," he said of the cup encounter. "Ties against Athletic are always
difficult."
Striker confidence
Asked about the successful youth system at Barça in the press conference, Guardiola believes
that it is because "we give them a chance" that they have such success. On Pedro, he added: "He is
a great player, perfect. He has everything to help the team."