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Barcelona defender Gerard Pique: Pep Guardiola is more motivated now than he was four years ago
The Spanish defender revealed that the coach remains more motivated than ever at Camp Nou and stressed that the Catalan club are still in contention for the Liga title
9 Feb 2012 19:15:00
By Luis Mira
Getty Images
Gerard Pique has dismissed the notion that Pep Guardiola is losing interest in his job as the coach of Barcelona.
The 41-year-old took charge of Barca's first team in 2008 and has since guided the club to 13 trophies, including three Primera Division titles and two Champions League crowns.
Guardiola has yet to commit his future to Barca beyond the end of the season, when his contract expires, but Pique believes that the lack of progress regarding the coach's new deal is not related to his views on the job.
"I see Guardiola more motivated than in his first year here," Pique said during a press conference. "That says everything.
"Ever since Pep arrived, the team has not stopped growing. Barca are stronger now than four years ago.
The Blaugrana are second in the Liga standings, seven points behind leaders Real Madrid, but Pique has asked the fans not to lose hope.
"It is others who have to win it and it is going to seem very long to them," Pique noted. "We will put pressure on them, there are many matches left and we will play against Madrid at Camp Nou.
"Trust us, because we will always be fighting. We have always shown that we can play well on any field."
Pique then stated he would have no problem playing the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu, as the Spanish Football Federation has not yet determined the venue for the match.
"It would be good if the final was played at the Bernabeu because it has a big seating capacity," Pique added.
"Let us wait until Monday to see what is decided."
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The 41-year-old took charge of Barca's first team in 2008 and has since guided the club to 13 trophies, including three Primera Division titles and two Champions League crowns.
Guardiola has yet to commit his future to Barca beyond the end of the season, when his contract expires, but Pique believes that the lack of progress regarding the coach's new deal is not related to his views on the job.
"I see Guardiola more motivated than in his first year here," Pique said during a press conference. "That says everything.
"Ever since Pep arrived, the team has not stopped growing. Barca are stronger now than four years ago.
The Blaugrana are second in the Liga standings, seven points behind leaders Real Madrid, but Pique has asked the fans not to lose hope.
"It is others who have to win it and it is going to seem very long to them," Pique noted. "We will put pressure on them, there are many matches left and we will play against Madrid at Camp Nou.
"Trust us, because we will always be fighting. We have always shown that we can play well on any field."
Pique then stated he would have no problem playing the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu, as the Spanish Football Federation has not yet determined the venue for the match.
"It would be good if the final was played at the Bernabeu because it has a big seating capacity," Pique added.
"Let us wait until Monday to see what is decided."
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'. The last 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!
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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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
21:38 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?
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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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