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Barcelona Coach Pep Guardiola: Jose Mourinho Is The Best In The World
Pep hoping long trip will pay off.
Apr 19, 2010 2:30:00 PM
By Rupert Fryer
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has heralded Inter tactician Jose Mourinho as the best in the world ahead of their Champions League semi-final clash at San Siro tomorrow evening.
“We face a great team in Inter, whose coach is arguably the best in the world,” Guardiola told a press conference today. “He has won titles in Portugal, England and Italy. It is an honor to face him."
Guardiola also spoke about his team’s 14 hour coach trip to Milan after they were unable to fly following the air travel chaos caused by a volcanic eruption in Iceland.
"The journey has not been easy, but nothing much happened,” he said. “A lot of people in Europe have been unable to travel. I would prefer to go 14 hours by bus to play the Champions League than watch the semi-finals at home [on TV].
“It's not what we wanted but there are many teams in the second and third divisions that have to do it.”
Pep also pointed out he was well aware of Mourinho’s tactical nous, insisting Barca will have to be well prepared.
“We play differently,” he said. “We have three attackers and a playmaker, which you don't see so much. It is very difficult to prepare for the game because this coach is very smart.”
Finally, Guardiola admitted that he didn’t think the tie would be settled tomorrow and that “everything will be decided at the Camp Nou” when the sides meet for the second leg next week.
Keep up to date with all the latest Champions League news with Goal.com and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
“We face a great team in Inter, whose coach is arguably the best in the world,” Guardiola told a press conference today. “He has won titles in Portugal, England and Italy. It is an honor to face him."
Guardiola also spoke about his team’s 14 hour coach trip to Milan after they were unable to fly following the air travel chaos caused by a volcanic eruption in Iceland.
"The journey has not been easy, but nothing much happened,” he said. “A lot of people in Europe have been unable to travel. I would prefer to go 14 hours by bus to play the Champions League than watch the semi-finals at home [on TV].
“It's not what we wanted but there are many teams in the second and third divisions that have to do it.”
Pep also pointed out he was well aware of Mourinho’s tactical nous, insisting Barca will have to be well prepared.
“We play differently,” he said. “We have three attackers and a playmaker, which you don't see so much. It is very difficult to prepare for the game because this coach is very smart.”
Finally, Guardiola admitted that he didn’t think the tie would be settled tomorrow and that “everything will be decided at the Camp Nou” when the sides meet for the second leg next week.
Keep up to date with all the latest Champions League news with Goal.com and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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