Barcelona vs Racing preview - Barca boss learns from Betis blow

Posted Saturday, January 22, 2011 by PA

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola admits Wednesday night's Copa del Rey defeat at Second Division Betis represented a timely wake-up call for his side ahead of next month's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal.

Barca, having already won the first leg 5-0 at the Nou Camp, found themselves 2-0 down after five minutes in Seville on Wednesday and ended up losing 3-1 at the Benito Villamarin.

But far from lamenting that loss, Guardiola believes the defeat will have only positive effects for a side who have won their last 13 Primera Division fixtures and who had gone 28 games unbeaten in all competitions.

"The defeat against Betis will help us to grow," he said.

"In two weeks we have to play against Arsenal and that won't be easy.

"Losing can be good for you. When you lose in the Champions League, you realise what it takes just to be there - the defeat will be good for us."

Barca lead the league by four points at the halfway stage from fierce rivals Real Madrid, but Guardiola says that advantage means nothing at this stage.

"Leagues are never won midway through January or February," he said.

"There is a long, long way to go and it is very difficult to keep winning - our defeat (against Betis) shows that."

Barca hope to tie Guardiola down on a long-term deal, but the coach is unwilling to discuss his future at this stage of the season.

Nevertheless, goalkeeper Victor Valdes believes his coach will stay at the Nou Camp for many years to come.

"I have no doubt he will stay," he said.

"I want him to stay for as many years as possible - for the good of the team and the good of everyone."

Barca host struggling Racing Santander in the 20th round of the Primera Division on Saturday, having thrashed the Cantabrian outfit 3-0 at El Sardinero on the opening weekend of the season.

Jeffren Suarez is sidelined for five weeks and will not feature, but Guardiola should have an otherwise full-strength side for the visit of Miguel Angel Portugal's team.

Racing are down in 14th place after losing 2-1 at Athletic Bilbao in a hotly-disputed northern derby last weekend.

The Cantabrians are now just four points clear of the relegation zone and face a difficult test, but midfielder Manuel Arana believes his side have a chance of upsetting the league leaders.

"It's the hardest game of the year, but it's not impossible to get a result at the Nou Camp," he said.

Oscar Serrano and Papakouly Diop miss out through injury, while Pedro Munitis is suspended.

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