http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38605 manager Pep Guardiola not thinking beyond Shakhtar Donetsk: UEFA Champions League News
Barcelona manager, Pep Guardiola is focused on the second-leg of the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk, despite beating the Ukrainian Champions 5-1 at Camp Nou on Wednesday, April 6, 2011.
Guardiola does not want to think about a possible semi-final clash with Real Madrid yet, as he wants to focus on the return-leg in Ukraine. The Catalans won comprehensively against an impressive Shakhtar side, which had impressed many, earlier in the competition.
Real Madrid also won their first leg of the quarter-final after beating Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 on Tuesday, April 7. An El-Clasico is very much on the cards and it will be an intriguing fixture as both teams are fighting it out for the La Liga title as well
and they will also face each other in the final of Copa del Rey.
"The result is what it is, but Shakhtar are led by an experienced coach and I am still afraid. We have to play in Donetsk first and then we will think about Real Madrid. Don't believe [Mircea Lucescu] when he says the tie is over. I'm telling you: this isn't
finished yet. We turned up at Real Betis [in the Copa del Rey] with a 5-0 lead and we suffered badly [losing 3-1]. I warned you all back then and I was accused of false modesty."
The Spaniard praised his team for a wonderful performance at the Camp Nou despite having a make shift defence. The Catalans were without Eric Abidal and skipper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Carles-Puyol-c8331 for the game, who were both out with injuries but still the Spanish Champions did
not let their absence be felt in the game.
"We are a little short at the back as with the absences of Abidal and Puyol we're missing important players with pace and we need to replace that with other qualities. Having said that, the players at my disposal are physical animals and if there's one thing
they know it's how to compete." Guardiola said
The return leg will be played on 12th April at Donbass Arena, Donetsk.
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