PEP BELIEVES
Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has said that the 3-1 win over Sporting Gijon during the weekend will give his side immense self belief as they get into the business end of the season.
Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola was extremely delighted with the result of the match, despite the fact that Barcelona had defender Gerard Pique sent off in the match.
Perhaps, it was one of the reasons for Guardiola to be extremely happy with the result. Barcelona were coming into the match against Sporting Gijon without their influential player – Lionel Messi. Messi was suspended for this match after getting this fifth yellow card of the season in the previous match.
Now, Barcelona will have to do without the services of defender Gerard Pique for numerous matches now. Despite the fact that Gerard Pique won’t be available for the next few matches, Guardiola has said that the 3-1 win is extremely important because it will provide Barcelona with the necessary confidence to take on the remainder of the matches in the domestic and European campaign.
Barcelona’s domestic campaign has all but been written off after the trail leaders Real Madrid by a massive 10 points, but they still have the opportunity to become the first club to retain the Champions League.
“We won a match against a very defensive side in a match that turned against us. I’m happy with how the players reacted. They’ve done it again. The players took a step forward. It’s very necessary to win games like this throughout the year. The way this game was won reinforces our morale,” Guardiola said on the official website of Barcelona.
Without the services of Lionel Messi, Keita scored the goals needed by Barcelona to win the match. Guardiola later reserved his praise for the midfielder Keita. Iniesta and Xavi scored the other goals for Barcelona.
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