|
|
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola hails Lionel Messi's quality: 'When he is not as his best, he is still superior to other players'
The 41-year-old coach is unconcerned about the Argentine star's state of mind, while stressing he is not thinking about the result of Real Madrid's game
3 Feb 2012 23:10:00
By Luis Mira
Pep Guardiola - Barcelona
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has guaranteed that Lionel Messi is not affected by his missed penalty against Valencia in midweek.
The diminutive attacker failed to convert from the spot as Barca were held to a 1-1 draw at Mestalla in the first-leg of the Copa del Rey semi finals.
"Leo is always fine, he is very competitive," Guardiola told reporters at a press conference. "He has experienced many things and he always plays well, you already know my opinion.
"Without being at his best, he is superior to the other players. He sometimes takes responsibilities without having to.
"When it comes to penalties, he is amazing. I hope that when he retires, he will keep up his good record.
"What happens is that he spoils us. We are all here to help him, while knowing he needs little help. We all are more comfortable when Messi is on the pitch."
Guardiola then rejected the notion his side are in crisis despite failing to win any of their last three matches.
"It is very had to know what the team is missing," he added, "I have to be happy with what I have right now.
"Against Valencia we did not field Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta, [David] Villa or [Daniel] Alves, players who are the soul of this team.
"We played in an exemplary way. Soon we will be fine."
Barca are currently seven points shy of league leaders Real Madrid, but Guardiola underlined his sole focus is Saturday's match, against Real Sociedad.
"There is only one message, which is our match," he added. "Tomorrow, we are playing at 22.00CET and we have to win our match.
"We know ourselves and we know where we are. It is not necessary to say every week that that the match we are going to play is important.
"We will be in trouble if we step onto the pitch wondering if the other clubs are losing. We will do our job and then we will see what the others do."
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
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! |
The diminutive attacker failed to convert from the spot as Barca were held to a 1-1 draw at Mestalla in the first-leg of the Copa del Rey semi finals.
"Leo is always fine, he is very competitive," Guardiola told reporters at a press conference. "He has experienced many things and he always plays well, you already know my opinion.
"Without being at his best, he is superior to the other players. He sometimes takes responsibilities without having to.
"When it comes to penalties, he is amazing. I hope that when he retires, he will keep up his good record.
"What happens is that he spoils us. We are all here to help him, while knowing he needs little help. We all are more comfortable when Messi is on the pitch."
Guardiola then rejected the notion his side are in crisis despite failing to win any of their last three matches.
"It is very had to know what the team is missing," he added, "I have to be happy with what I have right now.
"Against Valencia we did not field Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta, [David] Villa or [Daniel] Alves, players who are the soul of this team.
"We played in an exemplary way. Soon we will be fine."
Barca are currently seven points shy of league leaders Real Madrid, but Guardiola underlined his sole focus is Saturday's match, against Real Sociedad.
"There is only one message, which is our match," he added. "Tomorrow, we are playing at 22.00CET and we have to win our match.
"We know ourselves and we know where we are. It is not necessary to say every week that that the match we are going to play is important.
"We will be in trouble if we step onto the pitch wondering if the other clubs are losing. We will do our job and then we will see what the others do."
Starting in November and continuing through to the middle of February, Goal.com is publishing exclusive extracts from Graham Hunter's highly-anticipated new book, 'Barca: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World'. Last Friday's extract looked at how Barca suffered rare disappointment at the hands of Real Madrid in a gripping finale to last season's Copa del Rey. Don't miss it!
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| 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! |
|
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
21:38 BST
And it's now 3-1 to Turkey! An own goal from Pepe and we're into time added on. Do people think Portugal will qualify from their group?
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.
21:12 BST
Elsewhere in Europe, Portugal are currently losing at home to Turkey. Not looking good for them at the Euros!
21:03 BST
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.
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
-
Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms
The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield
-
The definitive timeline of FSG's hunt for new manager
Kenny Dalglish's sacking at the end of the season sparked a massive hunt for the next Anfield boss, and the former Swansea man has been chosen after several turned the job down
