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Barcelona's Pep Guardiola: Jose Manuel Pinto's sending off would have changed Valencia match
The Blaugrana coach reckons that the goalkeeper's sending off would have damaged his side, while stressing he is very happy with the stalemate away from home soil
2 Feb 2012 00:24:35
By Luis Mira
Pep Guardiola - Barcelona
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has admitted that Jose Manuel Pinto's sending off would have changed the course of the Copa del Rey first-leg against Valencia.
The 36-year-old custodian was at the heart of controversy during the 1-1 draw at Mestalla as he handled the ball outside Barca's area on 18 minutes.
"I have been told he handled the ball outside the area," Guardiola said after the game. "If you have 10 men, of course it changes the match."
Guardiola then noted he was happy with the result and admitted he is somewhat relieved that his side could not get a better result at Valencia.
"It is better to go to Camp Nou with this result because it forces us to win the match," he added. "When you have a 2-1 lead like we did against Real Madrid, it seems like you have won the tie.
"We are counting on the support of our fans to reach the final. What we always try is to go for the victory."
Quizzed on Xavi's absence from the match, Guardiola said: "He needed to rest."
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The 36-year-old custodian was at the heart of controversy during the 1-1 draw at Mestalla as he handled the ball outside Barca's area on 18 minutes.
"I have been told he handled the ball outside the area," Guardiola said after the game. "If you have 10 men, of course it changes the match."
Guardiola then noted he was happy with the result and admitted he is somewhat relieved that his side could not get a better result at Valencia.
"It is better to go to Camp Nou with this result because it forces us to win the match," he added. "When you have a 2-1 lead like we did against Real Madrid, it seems like you have won the tie.
"We are counting on the support of our fans to reach the final. What we always try is to go for the victory."
Quizzed on Xavi's absence from the match, Guardiola said: "He needed to rest."
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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Live!
England 1-0 Belgium, Netherlands 6-0 Northern Ireland - follow all the international action LIVE! ahead of Euro 2012
With countries across the continent gearing up for their final warm-up games ahead of Euro 2012, join us for all the action from Saturday's friendlies. Get in touch with us via Twitter with your reaction.
Hosted by Joe Doyle
Hosted by Joe Doyle
21:34 BST
Into the final few minutes with Portugal still 2-1 down to Turkey. Cristiano Ronaldo missed his second ever penalty for Portugal earlier on.
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Elsewhere in Europe, Portugal are currently losing at home to Turkey. Not looking good for them at the Euros!
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As promised, here is the match report on Netherlands 6-0 Northern Ireland.
21:00 BST
And here's more from Roy Hodgson on the injury concerns in the England squad.
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And so the awful Europop music blares out in Amsterdam after Northern Ireland's worst defeat in a very long time. Netherlands are looking dangerous ahead of Euro 2012, but they won't face many teams as bad as today.
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