Guardiola: “It was a more than acceptable performance”

The Barça manager felt his side played well this evening. “They worked hard in terms of structure and play, Milan couldn’t get across the halfway line” he said.

Bartomeu laments bad luck

The vice president for sport, Josep Maria Bartomeu, was sorry to lose although “we played well and had opportunities. The ball didn’t go in, but another day it will for sure … It was a shame to draw and if we want to finish top we’re going to have to work a bit harder.” But he also said it was time to “forget about this game and turn our thoughts back to the league”.

Pep Guardiola was happy with his team despite the cruel outcome of the game with AC Milan. “We were Barça, we played as we always have done, trying to play football, shooting … everything we were supposed to do to win”.

Huge punishment
He added that “we managed to hold Milan back. It was a more than acceptable performance. Only little things were missing, and they did score in the first minute. They only attacked two and half times, but these things happen in football … we have to be more careful and we’ll be looking to correct things.” But he was happy to accept that Milan is a quality side. “They are able to stick eight men in defence and carry on doing that when they’re losing 2-1” he observed.

No doubts
On his squad, he said “I have no doubts about these players, you know that … If these players have shown one thing it is that nobody works harder than them. I sense that they know how difficult this is. It gets harder every time”.

On the draw he at least conceded that “we didn’t lose and there are five games left.” But for now his mind will be focused on the league game with Osasuna. Guardiola knows that “Saturday will be different. Mendilibar’s teams come right at you”.