Pinto red would have changed game, says Guardiola

2 February 2012 01:03

Pep Guardiola admits Jose Manuel Pinto's sending off would have changed the course of Barcelona's Copa del Rey first-leg against Valencia.

The 36-year-old custodian was at the heart of controversy during the 1-1 draw at Mestalla as he escaped punishment for handling the ball outside Barca's area on 18 minutes.

The visitors went on to cancel out Jonas' opener through Carles Puyol, meaning they hold the upper hand heading into the second leg of the semi-final next week.

But Guardiola admitted it could have been a different story had Pinto been sent off.

"I have been told he handed the ball outside the area," Guardiola said. "If you have 10 men, of course it changes the match."

Guardiola then noted he was happy with the result and admitted he was somewhat relieved his side could not get a better result at Valencia.

"It is better to go to Camp Nou with this result because it forces us to win the match," he said.

"When you have a 2-1 lead like we did against Real Madrid, it seems like you have won the tie."

"We are counting on the support of our fans to reach the final. What we always try is to go for the victory."

Quizzed on Xavi's absence from the match, Guardiola said: "Xavi needed to rest."

Copa del Rey: Valencia 1 Barcelona 1

2 February 2012 00:48

Barcelona are likely to qualify for the Copa del Rey final after they drew 1-1 at Valencia in the semi-final first leg on Wednesday.

The Catalan giants could have won the match but Lionel Messi's second-half spot-kick was saved by Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves.

But they will still be happy with a point from a tricky away leg, secured after Carles Puyol cancelled out Jonas' opener for Valencia.

The hosts were baffled when Barcelona goalkeeper Jose Pinto appeared to handle the ball outside the penalty area in the early stages.

Pinto prevented Roberto Soldado from giving Valencia an early lead with a save that infuriated the home crowd at the Mestalla.

Valencia's protests were turned down but they started well and soon had the game's first goal when they won the ball off Barcelona in a good area, before Jeremy Mathieu's clever cut-back was converted by Jonas for his fourth goal in the competition this season.

Alexis Sanchez almost responded immediately for Barca, but his attempt was brilliantly saved by Diego Alves, although the resulting corner produced the equaliser as unmarked Puyol headed home.

Messi looked lively in the early stages of the second half and he was given the perfect chance to score when Thiago Alcantara was fouled by Valencia defender Miguel in the penalty area.

The pint-sized Argentine forward stuttered in his run-up before hitting a poor spot-kick to Diego Alves' left which was easily saved.

Barcelona kept coming with Diego Alves required to save well to deny Eric Abidal before Gerard Pique missed a free header.

And in the dying stages, Messi and Barcelona substitute Dani Alves combined beautifully only for the latter to strike his effort against the post.

With Puyol's valuable away goal, Pep Guardiola's side will feel confident ahead of the second leg to be held on February 8 at the Nou Camp.

Emery looks for two-goal margin

1 February 2012 09:53

Valencia coach Unai Emery is optimistic about Wednesday's first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona.

Emery feels that his side does not just need to beat Pep Guardiola's side to stand a chance of reaching the final, but stressed that they cannot afford to concede and need to win by at least a two-goal margin.

"Our main priority is obviously to win the match, but that won't be enough," Emery told reporters.

"We have to keep a clean sheet as well and preferably win by more than one goal. Additionally, it's crucial for us to end the match with 11 players."

"We are wary of Barcelona's strength, despite their absences. They miss some important players, but have great alternatives. Barcelona are always a very dangerous team."

Meanwhile, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is hoping his team bounce back from Saturday's 0-0 draw at Villarreal.

"Every time we have played Valencia over the last four years, Valencia have always been an awesome team," Guardiola said.

"They're strong in all the positions. For us it's a huge test to compete every time you compete against them. Tomorrow (Wednesday) will not be an exception."

The likes of Pedro, Ibrahim Afellay, Andres Iniesta and David Villa are all sidelined with injury, making Barcelona's task of making the Copa del Rey final even harder.

The second leg is at Camp Nou on February 8.