'Belief is key against Barcelona' - Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino ahead of La Liga clash
Posted Monday, January 09, 2012 by Goal.com
Espanyol boss Mauricio Pochettino insists that his players will approach Sunday night’s derby against Barcelona believing that they can spring a surprise.
The hosts go into the game eighth in the table, 14 points behind their second-placed city rivals who are in still in the hunt for both La Liga and Champions League titles this season.
Pochettino admits that trying to come up with a game plan to bring down Barca is a daunting task but he disagrees with Osasuna counterpart Jose Luis Mendilibar’s assertion that Pep Guardiola’s side are virtually unbeatable.
"You cannot win a game with this mindset,” the Espanyol coach is quoted as saying by Marca.
"It is impossible. For our part, we will go after them but with respect and modesty."
Pochettino also acknowledged that it is one thing talking the talking and quite another actually walking the walk.
"Everybody has a lot of theories or formulas for beating Barca, but the truth to bring these theories into practice is quite difficult," he pointed out.
Espanyol go into the game on the back of an embarrassing 2-1 defeat by Segunda B outfit Cordoba in the Copa del Rey.
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