Guardiola not promising repeat performance - 7M sport

Guardiola not promising repeat performance

Posted Tuesday, April 06, 2010 by PA

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has warned his players to forget last week's impressive performance against Arsenal at the Emirates and focus on the job in hand when the two sides meet again at the Nou Camp.

Barca played Arsenal off the park with some breathtaking football in the first half and went 2-0 up early in the second period.

The Catalans were eventually pegged back, though, and had to settle for a 2-2 draw as Arsenal rallied late on.

It was perhaps an unfair reflection of the play, which Barca dominated, creating 22 chances overall and an incredible 11 in the first 15 minutes.

But Guardiola says a repeat of that performance cannot be expected tomorrow.

"What we did the other day has nothing to do with the second match," Guardiola said. "I am not expecting a first 15 minutes like we played in London or a game with 22 chances for us, that doesn't happen often in the Champions League.

"Those things only happen every now and again and it's in the past. We have to forget about it and focus on doing our job."

Guardiola also warned his players that anything other than a professional performance could see his side knocked out of the competition.

"We performed well last week but now we have to go again and if we don't play well, if we do not produce the necessary level of performance, it will be tough and we might not get to the semi-finals," he said.

Guardiola does not believe Arsenal have gained the initiative following their late comeback in the first leg.

"I don't know what my players have in their mind and I have no idea what Arsenal's players are thinking, but are they in a better condition that us? I don't think so," he added.

"This is a final, it's our most important game of the season and we have to treat it like a final."

Guardiola is missing a host of first-team players for tomorrow night's clash, with defensive pair Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique suspended.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who scored Barca's goals at the Emirates, is also out after picking up a calf injury in the warm-up ahead of Saturday's 4-1 win at home to Athletic Bilbao.

"It's bad news because he is a very important player for us, so we hope he recovers as soon as possible," Guardiola said.

The Barca coach will also make a late decision on Andres Iniesta, who is out with a thigh problem but is now back in full training.

With Ibrahimovic missing, Guardiola has a straight choice between Thierry Henry and Bojan Krkic for the centre-forward position.

And he has given his backing to Henry, who was criticised this week for a supposed lack of commitment following the game in London, when he appeared keen to salute Arsenal's fans and was very disappointing in his 20-minute cameo.

"Henry's commitment is often doubted but I can't understand that," Guardiola said. "He is always committed and he would not still being playing among the elite at 33 if that were not the case.

"He has had some problems with his tendons, but I hope for the best from him."

Arsene Wenger has called on his battle-weary Arsenal side to show no fear.

The Gunners' preparations for the second leg were hit by the news Cameroon international Alex Song - who had been in line to drop back into defence as veteran Sol Campbell struggles to regain full match fitness - was out with a knee injury.

Arsenal were already missing captain Cesc Fabregas, who suffered a cracked bone in his leg when winning the late penalty which levelled the tie at 2-2, as well as centre-back William Gallas and Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin.

However, Wenger maintains his team - with England forward Theo Walcott in contention to start having made a major impact from the bench in the first leg - have what it takes to pull off another famous away victory on one of Europe's biggest stages as they look to capitalise on Barcelona's own selection problems.

"We have won away everywhere in Europe. Barcelona is a place where we have not done it, so there is no better opportunity than now," Wenger declared.

"I am confident despite the injuries we have that we can do it.

"Of course, we will need to get everybody to 100% of his potential and have a great team performance.

"This team, though, has such a great mental strength and I believe they can fight against the odds anywhere in the world."

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