Eurosport - Wed, 29 Apr 12:27:00 2009
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has slammed referee Wolfgang Stark over his performance in the first leg of the Spanish side's Champions League semi-final tie against Chelsea.
Guardiola said the German was wrong to book Carles Puyol, who is now suspended for next week's second leg, and Yaya Toure and he should have sent off Chelsea's Michael Ballack for a late foul on Andres Iniesta in the dour 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp.
"It can't be allowed to happen that the team that tries to play ends up with the same number of cards as the one that just fouls," Guardiola said.
"The incident with Ballack was scandalous," he added.
"Andres was heading into the penalty area through on goal. It was a very clear second yellow.
"If the European Champions League is decided by details, as everyone says, then this is not going to help us."
Guardiola said the Liga leaders had been the victim of similar refereeing displays all season.
"The way the team is playing should be taken into account," he said. "If one team is attacking then that should count in their favour."
"We are fair. Before the game I said to the players: no hard tackles and no fouls. That was our philosophy."
Guardiola's Chelsea counterpart Guus Hiddink said his side would not necessarily have any advantage from playing at Stamford Bridge in the second leg on May 6.
"Of course we have to improve for the upcoming game," he said.
"These days there is no big advantage playing away or at home so nothing is decided."
The Dutchman paid tribute to his defence, which prevented Barcelona from scoring at home in any competition for the first time since April 23 last year when they were held to a goalless draw by Manchester United at the same stage of the competition.
"Petr (Cech) did a good job defensively and saved the game for us," Hiddink said of his goalkeeper, also praising captain John Terry, Jose Bosingwa, who marked dangerman Lionel Messi, and Florent Malouda.
Comment 135 - 154 of 154
THE ONLY REASON WOLFGANG(WTF?) DIDNT SHOW BALLACK A RED IS CUZ HES THE "MANSCHAFT" CAPTAIN.
I WAS EVEN SURPRISED WHEN HE SHOWED HIM A YELLOW CARD.
JUST LOOK AT GUARDIOLA'S FACE IT SHOWS THE REAL WORST FELING
DANNY ALVES THE BEST THEATRE ACTING OF THAT NIGHT , AMAZING GOING DOWN LIKE BEING SHOT WITH A GUN AND MINUTE AFTER RUNNING FASTER THAN HE COULD
DANNY ALVES THE BEST ACTING WE EVER SEEN GOING DOWN AND UP MANY TIMES, SHITO
DANNY ALVES THE BEST ACTING WE EVER SEEN GOING DOWN AND UP MANY TIMES, SHITO
Chelsea only treated Barca like a challenging hole in a 18 hole golf course. So instead of taking out a driver and wag as hard as possible, like Tiger Woods, Chelsea took out his 3 woods or 2 iron and played defensively. This is called smart play. This is why Tiger Woods won many majors and Phil Mickelson only one or two. And since Chelsea is the new Tiger Woods of football, watch out Barca, Chelsea may just choose to play with 11 strikers at Stamford Bridge ! But of course if conditions are windy, Chelsea will play with 11 defenders and go for penalty and win on penalties ! Barca will call this "shameful football", and Chelsea will just wipe a grin off their faces knowing they have outsmarted Barca !!!
Philippe
Just bcos Spain is the best football team in the world (nation wise) does not make automatically make Barca the best team in the world even if Barca has the first 11 of Spain's national players. Why ? Simple: I take 11 other players who is the best players (minus Spain) in the world from different nations. Why would one country Spain be able to beat the "rest of the world" team ? Chelsea has players from how many nations ?
philippeduverseau,
I understand perfectly why Guardiola come out and said the things he did. It is part and parcel of the off pitch game and you and I and La Carmms are doing off pitch sparring to turn things in favor for the clubs we support.
I never said that Barca is not the best team in the world. That remains to be proven in Rome. Man U beat Chelsea last year. Chelsea don't come out and make excuses bcos if you are beaten, you are beaten. Cruel though football sometimes is.
I also never say that England is the best team in the world. I think it is the strongest league in the world. So when 3 english teams made it to the semi-finals, mostly with help from talented foreign players, no one should deny the facts.
Ps the best defence is a good offence thats the first thing you learn as a coach and a plyer. So guardola steps up to defend his team and protect his style of play and you hate him for that how many times has a premier league coach play down another team you of all people should know that if you are a chelsea wth your wonderful mourinho back in the days....
Yourstruly
If you say that spain is the best team in the worls how the heck you tell me that barca isn't. hHalf of the spanish squad are barca players and they play the same attacking and passing football plus barca if you didn' know has the best defence in the liga. I just think your running out of things to say aginst barca because you have been writting to much. You speak as if chelsea has a style but the only thing they really know how to do best is sacking coaches. Oh and btw do not compared tennis wich is a one player game with a team sport. next you'll compared nascar with crickets. Seriously dude i get it your an eng fan but I'm telling you I'm on to you now and I pray by god that you win on wednesday or I will hunt you forever. Lol joking man I love the drama you give these blog see you next time lol
la_carlamms,
I am not anti-spanish. I think Spain is the best team in the world (right now) and they thoroughly deserve to be European champions. I also think Nadal is invincible currently. But Barca does not behave at all like Nadal off the pitch. Nadal is a true gentleman. Nadal will never come out and tell his opponents they cannot play defensive tennis or criticize the referee or his opponents tactics and tell them if they play defensive tactics, then they are not playing tennis.
That is why I suddenly lost my respect for Barca. It was my second favorite team.
If only Barca acts like a true champion, and admit they were not able to break down Chelsea, the whole world will have more respect for Barca. So what if Chelsea chose to play 11 players as defenders ? Why is this called not playing football or anti-football ? So if Chelsea played with 11 strikers, it is pro-football ?
yourstrulyhere..
"Chelsea therefore is the Roger Federer and Tiger Woods of football"
so, where is federer now..? almost everybody whooping him.. u should get other example, say nadal..!oop, i see.. u purposely didnt want to use him coz he's spanish eh..! dont worry, he's not Barca fan thou..
I feel for you Barca, it is really hard trying to play football with Chelsea!
barca should change style of play !! messi try and play far shot like ronaldo if you want me to believe you are wolrd best, score a far goal !! score free kicks!! stop all these too much dribling, it doesn't pay anymore !!!
I am fed up of Barca fans, players and coach condemining Chelsea' style of play as boring and anti-football.
In my opinion, a team that can play a wide variety of different styles is the team that is most interesting to watch. And Chelsea can do exactly that. When they face an opponent for which offensive play is most appropriate they can be very offensive (see Chelsea vs Liverpool 7-5 aggregate) games . And when the situation demands it, they can also switch to a very defensive style and achieve their plan.
Barca on the other hand, knows only how to play football using only one style. I find it boring to watch bcos it is always the same dribble, dribble into penalty and score ! If you have watch one Barca game, if you have watched them all. Once in a while I like to watch Barca bcos I like to see Messi's magic. But too much dribbling can be boring.
Look at Roger Federer and Tiger Woods. They know a wide variety of different styles of play to suit the situation. Chelsea therefore is the Roger Federer and Tiger Woods of football. Barca is like Phil Mickelson and Andy Roddick who only know how to attack
Okay guys can we be srealistic both barca fan and chelsea fan are boasting over and over again. I'm a barca fan but I have to admit that chelsea played a very good defensive game but Barca also played a good game we both were unfortunate and all is left to be decided at bridge. We have to admit as football fan ref these days are not doing their jobs right. I mean some players like dany alves are a disgrace to football but you have to love him for his spirit and energy. But just like we have dani in la liga you have ronaldo in the premier ligue. So lets stop pointing fingers. But as a chelsea do you really like waching your players kick more [players then they kicking or even touching a ball. Italy did when alot of trophies that way but brazil won more and if it wasn't for a lack of form in the last world cup dthey would have done the same again. Anyways may the best football win next time Visca Barca
Referees will always be under the cosh by one team or the other. Referees are there to control a football match, not to be a Simon Carrow and decide which "footballer" actor gives the besy performance. The huge salery that these hams earn has turned foorball into a farce. "win by any means" is the motto now and cheating, diving, abusing the ref. and assitant refs. is not my idea of a sporting game of football. It is time for the authorities to come down @#$% these play actors.Most matches are covered by TV and should be used post games to colate the evidence and then heavily fine these offenders. Abuse of refs. Watched a rugby match lately? these football prima daonna's shuold get on with THE SPORT!
Defense win games. Remember Italy won several World Cups defending.
Now we know who's a the prima donna.
n unless chelsea play for penalty in the 2nd leg, i dont see Barca unable to score there..!
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