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Barcelona's Pep Guardiola: I have no problem with AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The Spanish coach insists there is no tension between him and the Swedish striker and says he is looking for a victory in Wednesday's match at San Siro.
Nov 22, 2011 4:13:00 PM
By Luis Mira
Getty Images
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said there is no bad blood between him and AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic prior to the two clubs meeting in Wednesday's Champions League match.
The Sweden international left Camp Nou in 2010, just one year into his stint, after failing to justify 69.5 million pounds deal that took him away from Inter in exchange for Samuel Eto'o.
In his autobiography, which recently hit bookshelves, Ibrahimovic slammed Guardiola, claiming the 40-year-old coach was terrified of the threat posed by his Real Madrid counterpart, Jose Mourinho.
"I have no problem with Mister Ibrahimovic, but I think one always has to act naturally," Guardiola told reporters at a press conference. "If we run into each other, I will greet him, just like the sportsmen we are."
Barca is already through to the Champions League knockout stages, but the club is still looking for a victory at San Siro in order to retain the top place in Group H.
"It is always better to be first in the group than runners-up, because it is better to play the second leg at home," Guardiola noted. "However, to be at this stadium is a big honor and a privilege, you breathe history here.
"We must show that Spain is a country as important as Italy in terms of football against a club as important as Milan."
Guardiola then commented on the health state of assistant Tito Vilanova, who underwent surgery to remove a tumor found on his parotid gland.
"Tito is an amazing person and we hope that he will resume his everyday life as soon as possible," he added. "The news about his tumor had a similar impact to the one about Abidal's problem, even though they are different problems."
The Sweden international left Camp Nou in 2010, just one year into his stint, after failing to justify 69.5 million pounds deal that took him away from Inter in exchange for Samuel Eto'o.
In his autobiography, which recently hit bookshelves, Ibrahimovic slammed Guardiola, claiming the 40-year-old coach was terrified of the threat posed by his Real Madrid counterpart, Jose Mourinho.
"I have no problem with Mister Ibrahimovic, but I think one always has to act naturally," Guardiola told reporters at a press conference. "If we run into each other, I will greet him, just like the sportsmen we are."
Barca is already through to the Champions League knockout stages, but the club is still looking for a victory at San Siro in order to retain the top place in Group H.
"It is always better to be first in the group than runners-up, because it is better to play the second leg at home," Guardiola noted. "However, to be at this stadium is a big honor and a privilege, you breathe history here.
"We must show that Spain is a country as important as Italy in terms of football against a club as important as Milan."
Guardiola then commented on the health state of assistant Tito Vilanova, who underwent surgery to remove a tumor found on his parotid gland.
"Tito is an amazing person and we hope that he will resume his everyday life as soon as possible," he added. "The news about his tumor had a similar impact to the one about Abidal's problem, even though they are different problems."
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