Barcelona's Guardiola dismisses Chelsea link as pure 'fantasy'

Date: 18-04-2012 1:19 pm (12 years ago) | Author: Emmanuel McCarthy
- at 18-04-2012 01:19 PM (12 years ago)
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- The 41-year-old coach, who has led the Catalans to 13 titles since taking charge at Camp Nou in 2008, is out of contract in the summer and has been linked with the Blues.

The former Spain international's current contract with the Catalans expires at the end of the season and he has been linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge.

However, Guardiola, speaking ahead of the first leg of the Blaugrana's Champions League semi-final with Chelsea, felt it disrespectful to discuss the issue given caretaker coach Roberto Di Matteo has brought about an impressive upturn in the Blues' fortunes since replacing Andre Villas-Boas at the helm last month.

"It is fantasy, it's hypothetical," Guardiola told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday. "I am coach of Barcelona now and they [Chelsea] have a good manager [Roberto di Matteo] who is getting unbelievable results.

"It's not useful for Chelsea or for Barcelona to talk about that. There is no time to talk about that."



Unsurprisingly, Guardiola was also reluctant to address the ongoing speculation surrounding his future at Camp Nou.

"I just want to focus on the game," the former Barcelona B team boss declared. "This is a dream come true, to be here ahead of this great game.

"I just want to make sure my players are focused on the game and can enjoy playing matches like that."

After being allowed to turn his attention to the game at Stamford Bridge, Guardiola disputed the belief that Chelsea will be gunning for revenge on Wednesday night in light of their controversial exit at the hands of the Blaugrana at the same stage of the competition three years ago.

An injury-time equaliser from Andres Iniesta denied the Blues a place in the 2009 tournament decider on the away goals rule, but the Catalans' coach does not feel that Di Matteo's men will be using that experience as an extra source of motivation in Wednesday night's first-leg clash at Stamford Bridge.

"I do not think Chelsea are playing for revenge, but to be in the final," he reasoned. "What you have lost in football, is lost.

"Chelsea have spirit and the same core team from 2009 and this generation of footballers [that they have] is unique. It's admirable.

"And it will be more complicated this time around. We're the reigning champions now and a good team want to beat us. In addition, few teams can execute counterattacks [like Chelsea]."

Guardiola also insisted that there was no chance of his players being distracted from the task at hand, even though the hype is already building back in Catalunya ahead of this weekend's crucial Clasico clash with La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

"We're playing against one of the best teams in Europe [in Chelsea] and we have to focus on this match," the 41-year-old coach declared. "After tomorrow, we can think about Saturday."

Barcelona's eagerly-awaited meeting with Chelsea kicks off in London at 20.45CET.


Posted: at 18-04-2012 01:19 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
- Solidstonez at 8-06-2012 06:00 PM (11 years ago)
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Posted: at 8-06-2012 06:00 PM (11 years ago) | Addicted Hero
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