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Barcelona's Pep Guardiola Keen To Appeal Andres Iniesta's Yellow Card For Diving Against Real Betis
The Spanish champions' midfield maestro was booked for simulation in the penalty box even though it appeared that he had been fouled by Jefferson Montero
16-Jan-2012 6:41:00 AM
By Mark Doyle
Pep Guardiola - Barcelona
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has revealed that the Catalans intend to appeal the yellow card issued to Andres Iniesta during Sunday night’s 4-2 victory over Real Betis at Camp Nou.
The Spain international midfielder was booked for diving in the area midway through the second half of the game even though it appeared that he had been felled by Jefferson Montero.
Guardiola confirmed after the game that Barca will attempt to have the booking rescinded.
“It’s not a penalty because the referee hasn’t seen it,” he said of the incident during his post-game press conference. "But we will appeal the Iniesta card.”
Guardiola was also full of praise for the way in which his players responded to blowing a two-goal lead against Betis by clinching a crucial win thanks to late goals from Alexis Sanchez and Lionel Messi, and dismissed the suggestion that his troops had been guilty of complacency.
“If there’s something that this team does not do, it's ease up,” the former Barcelona midfielder argued. “This is a consequence of not wanting to lose what one has gained over the years.
“They would have to do something very wrong for you to doubt their commitment.”
While Barca are currently five points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid, Guardiola is also of the opinion that the Catalans have had a “very good first round” of the season and “this only happens if you work hard and behave as you need to behave”.
Turning his attention to the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final showdown with Madrid in midweek, Guardiola stated that Barca will try to “play the best game possible” and will be going all out for goals because “we know scoring away from home is much more complicated”.
Barca travel to the Santiago Bernabeu in midweek before hosting their great rivals at Camp Nou seven days later.
The Spain international midfielder was booked for diving in the area midway through the second half of the game even though it appeared that he had been felled by Jefferson Montero.
Guardiola confirmed after the game that Barca will attempt to have the booking rescinded.
“It’s not a penalty because the referee hasn’t seen it,” he said of the incident during his post-game press conference. "But we will appeal the Iniesta card.”
Guardiola was also full of praise for the way in which his players responded to blowing a two-goal lead against Betis by clinching a crucial win thanks to late goals from Alexis Sanchez and Lionel Messi, and dismissed the suggestion that his troops had been guilty of complacency.
“If there’s something that this team does not do, it's ease up,” the former Barcelona midfielder argued. “This is a consequence of not wanting to lose what one has gained over the years.
“They would have to do something very wrong for you to doubt their commitment.”
While Barca are currently five points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid, Guardiola is also of the opinion that the Catalans have had a “very good first round” of the season and “this only happens if you work hard and behave as you need to behave”.
Turning his attention to the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final showdown with Madrid in midweek, Guardiola stated that Barca will try to “play the best game possible” and will be going all out for goals because “we know scoring away from home is much more complicated”.
Barca travel to the Santiago Bernabeu in midweek before hosting their great rivals at Camp Nou seven days later.
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