Guardiola hails Barca´s mental toughness

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola expressed his relief after a trying week ended in a 2-1 win over Getafe on Sunday.

Barca kept their five-point lead at the top of La Liga intact with the victory, which came thanks to goals from Dani Alves and Bojan, who marked his 100th league appearance with his 50th-minute strike.

The win came at the end of a difficult few days for the club, amid doping allegations and news that defender Eric Abidal had a tumour on his liver.

“The week has been very long, a lot has happened and you never know how you are going to play,” Guardiola said of the distractions.

“But I think we have done well. The reaction has been good, we created many chances, but that has not been reflected at the end of the game.”

“You never know how the players react, but they were fantastic and I’m really happy with the performance.”

Guardiola confirmed that Abidal was recovering well from the successful surgery to remove the tumour.

“He is recovering well. He’s in a good mood and his family are too. Hopefully in the next fortnight he’ll be ready to visit and join us at the Ciudad Deportivo (Sports City),” he said.

The manager had no issue with Xavi picking up a one-match ban for accumulating five yellow cards, which will rule him out of the trip Villarreal on April 3.

“It’s part of the game. He has accumulated five cards and the players know how many cards they are on. He will rest against Villarreal and have a clean slate after that,” Guardiola said.

Sun 20 March, 2011

Guardiola hails Barca´s mental toughness

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola expressed his relief after a trying week ended in a 2-1 win over Getafe on Sunday.

Barca kept their five-point lead at the top of La Liga intact with the victory, which came thanks to goals from Dani Alves and Bojan, who marked his 100th league appearance with his 50th-minute strike.

The win came at the end of a difficult few days for the club, amid doping allegations and news that defender Eric Abidal had a tumour on his liver.

“The week has been very long, a lot has happened and you never know how you are going to play,” Guardiola said of the distractions.

“But I think we have done well. The reaction has been good, we created many chances, but that has not been reflected at the end of the game.”

“You never know how the players react, but they were fantastic and I’m really happy with the performance.”

Guardiola confirmed that Abidal was recovering well from the successful surgery to remove the tumour.

“He is recovering well. He’s in a good mood and his family are too. Hopefully in the next fortnight he’ll be ready to visit and join us at the Ciudad Deportivo (Sports City),” he said.

The manager had no issue with Xavi picking up a one-match ban for accumulating five yellow cards, which will rule him out of the trip Villarreal on April 3.

“It’s part of the game. He has accumulated five cards and the players know how many cards they are on. He will rest against Villarreal and have a clean slate after that,” Guardiola said.

Sun 20 March, 2011

Barca´s Fabregas move ´dead´

Barcelona have acknowledged there are no plans to lure Arsenal talisman Cesc Fabregas back to the Camp Nou in the next transfer window.

Fabregas was heavily linked with a move to Barca in last July’s window, with the Spaniard fuelling speculation by admitting it would be a dream come true to play for the club of his youth.

For their part, the La Liga club were understandably keen to woo Fabregas back to Spain, but their efforts were stonewalled by Arsenal.

Despite claims from more than one Spain international that Fabregas was unhappy at the Emirates, the 23-year-old respected the English Premier League club’s decision not to entertain a transfer and has continued to lead the Gunners by example.

Now, with the Catalan club set to visit Arsenal in a tantalising Champions League clash next Wednesday, Barca director of football Raul Sanllehi has admitted their hopes of snaring Fabregas have been dashed for the time being.

“Cesc is a great Catalan player. He played for us as a kid and he will be welcome back at Barcelona for the Champions League match,” Sanllehi said.

“Right now, everything is dead regarding a transfer.”

All-conquering Barca have been in irresistible form this season, but Sanllehi knows Pep Guardiola’s men can not take anything for granted against the dangerous Gunners.

“Arsenal are one of the main challengers for the Champions League,” he said.

“We acknowledge how difficult it is going to be.”

Wed 9 February, 2011

Barca´s Fabregas move ´dead´

Barcelona have acknowledged there are no plans to lure Arsenal talisman Cesc Fabregas back to the Camp Nou in the next transfer window.

Fabregas was heavily linked with a move to Barca in last July’s window, with the Spaniard fuelling speculation by admitting it would be a dream come true to play for the club of his youth.

For their part, the La Liga club were understandably keen to woo Fabregas back to Spain, but their efforts were stonewalled by Arsenal.

Despite claims from more than one Spain international that Fabregas was unhappy at the Emirates, the 23-year-old respected the English Premier League club’s decision not to entertain a transfer and has continued to lead the Gunners by example.

Now, with the Catalan club set to visit Arsenal in a tantalising Champions League clash next Wednesday, Barca director of football Raul Sanllehi has admitted their hopes of snaring Fabregas have been dashed for the time being.

“Cesc is a great Catalan player. He played for us as a kid and he will be welcome back at Barcelona for the Champions League match,” Sanllehi said.

“Right now, everything is dead regarding a transfer.”

All-conquering Barca have been in irresistible form this season, but Sanllehi knows Pep Guardiola’s men can not take anything for granted against the dangerous Gunners.

“Arsenal are one of the main challengers for the Champions League,” he said.

“We acknowledge how difficult it is going to be.”

Wed 9 February, 2011