Liga - Guardiola plays down Clasico importance
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has played down this weekend's Clasico at Real Madrid by saying a European Union summit meeting on Friday and moves to save the Euro were much more significant.
The Champions League holders host Belarusian minnows BATE Borisov in their final Group H match on Tuesday with first place and qualification to the last 16 already assured.
On the horizon is Saturday's top-of-the-table La Liga clash at the Bernabeu.
Barca will be under pressure to ensure Real do not increase their three-point lead with a game in hand, but Guardiola was coy when asked about the Clasico's significance in the title race.
"What's more important is that on the ninth of December (Germany chancellor Angela) Merkel and (France president Nicolas) Sarkozy save the Euro," Guardiola said.
"That's what is important this week, not the derby.
"More important than the tactics will be our mentality going into the match. Against a rival as strong as Madrid a win strengthens you, but there is still a long way to go in the league.
"If it was a knockout situation it would be more important, but there is still a long way to go."
Barcelona also have an eye on next week's Club World Cup in Japan, and Guardiola will look to squad players and his youth ranks to play against BATE, who need a surprise win to have a chance of qualifying for the Europa League.
"I want them to be bold, not to play under pressure, to show off all their talent and not be afraid of anything," he added.
"They just have to play and enjoy it."
European leaders are under pressure to come up with a credible plan to lead the region out of its debt crisis at the European Union summit meeting on Friday.
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@10, real mambo jambo: you cant even spell clasico! Shut up zambian boy, we know who you are!
c'mon madrid we need to get the 3 and take a 6 point boost, im sure itll come back to haunt barca at the end
Today I would like to play down the significance of my end-of-the-semester final exams. What's really important this week is battling world poverty and AIDS.
It baffles me to see the random/awkward connections to the game that players/coaches/staff in this sport make sometimes.
@ REAMPLIFIED MAMB,
JUST A YEAR AGO PRECICELY ON NOV.16,IF YOU DONT REMEMBER I CAN STILL REMEMBER,WHEN GUARDIOLA PLAYS DOWN THE FIRST CLASSICO ON NOV 17TH,YOU AND AMA USED THE WORD ''SCARED TO DEATH'' TO DESCRIBE GUARDIOLA,BUT WHAT HAPPENED,5-0 THRASHING OF REAL WHO LEADS THE TABLE,YOU SHOULD KNOW BY NOW,BARCA FEAR NOBODY,BUT REMAIN A THREAT TO ANY TEAM.WATCH IT,BOY.
Pep is just playing a mind game because he knows he will lose the match. Irrespective of what he says, the classico is still the classico. Let him leave politics to politicians and focus on the match which i know he dieingly needs to win.
pep,is d bst coach i hv evr seen in my life.
Gonna be a huge match. Can't wait. Hopefully it won't get overshadowed with diving and referee pressure.
pep sounds confused.....his crown is under threat......and he is saying el classico is not important!.....what is happening to him........losing will mean game over for barca......no team will rescue 9points gap for barca with current real madrid........good luck to you boy.......real for life
So intelligent and mature Pep ..
Learning from the special one . This is the direct copy of what Mourinho said about bird flu when he was in chelsea. Mourinho's influence is always there.
Alonze, u got it wrong. Pep G never lost confidence in his team. He's only tryin 2 b himself-"The humble guy" humble even in his words. He can never be like the proud so called, "speciaj one" that'll loud it on air. "I'll demolish barka" atleast Pep still has respect for madrid. That's how it should be.
Barcelona has the edge over Madrid, they always seems to step up their game whenever they play Madrid, Madrid haven't beat Barcelona at the Bernabau for a longtime now, and the way how Faby and Sanchez playing i dont see real winning,Messi always tourment Madrid and he always score...
Yeah right...When RM has 3 point ahead and a game in hand...lets if u will say that again after a lost or stalemate.. Predict a 3 -1 victory for RM or 1-1 draw...
Whoever thinks this week's game is not vital to winning or losing La Liga Championship doesn't pay attention to detail. For the past two seasons, Real Madrid has a better record against the other 18 teams in La Liga, but lost points against its direct rival Barcelona which cost it La Liga. Plain and simple - both Guardiola and Mourinho know the importance of Saturday's game not only to La Liga - but also to the Champions League. The winner will feel invincible.
if the video is not available in my country, why do I still have to watch the ad?!
Trying to be a philosopher, while avoiding a direct answer to the question. But he is right in what he said - the Eurocrisis is more prevalent - and one game at this stage of the season isn't so important, even if it is El Clasico.
seems like someone has no confidence in his team against madrid =/
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