Audio By Carbonatix
After defeating Osasuna 6-1 on aggregate in the Copa del Rey the Catalans will play bitter rivals Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the competition, the first-leg taking place on Wednesday.
If Madrid defeat Mallorca on Saturday, Barcelona could go into the game against Pepe Mel's men eight points behind the leaders, and Guardiola has conceded that only victory will do against Betis this weekend.
"If we do not react well in the league [against Betis] because of the Clasico, we will be out of the title race. With a rival like Madrid, you have to take all the points. Tomorrow we will go into the game 5, 6 or 8 points behind but we will have to play our game and see where we are," the 40-year-old told reporters during his press conference.
The coach stressed the importance of doing well in the league and spoke philosophically about his team's hopes to retain their domestic title.
"I've said many times, the league is the most important for us because that is what puts you in other competitions. If my team react well we will take more points. We will play against Betis, try and win every game and at the end of the season, see what we deserved," he said.
Guardiola's conference was concluded with the coach refuting claims he would add to his squad in the transfer window - instead stating he will put faith in youth.
"We will fall back on our youth players until the end. Going to the transfer market doesn't guarantee anything. From the very beginning we designed a small squad because we believe in our youth programme," he added.
Barcelona will be looking to maintain their unbeaten home record this season, a run that has seen them score 39 times in nine games and concede no goals in Liga.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
NPP: Kwabena Agyapong urges delegates to prioritise party’s future over cash
9 minutes -
UN report warns Ghana of rising labour market pressures in 2026 as AI reshapes jobs
12 minutes -
Russia, Ukraine and US to hold trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi
38 minutes -
US braces for ‘extremely dangerous’ winter storm
40 minutes -
DJ Bridash reflects on early career setback and advocates fair pay for emerging DJs
44 minutes -
Waste management costing KMA over GHS 300,000 daily
45 minutes -
Analysis: Trump follows through on WHO exit, ending U.S. funding lifeline
1 hour -
Richard E. Addison named Country Lead for Commonwealth Youth Entrepreneurs Alliance
1 hour -
27 drivers arrested for overcharging
2 hours -
22 SHSs in Ashanti region qualify for quarterfinals of ACE spoken word contest
2 hours -
We provide care to all patients regardless of financial status – KATH CEO
2 hours -
AMA, 5 sister assemblies announce joint decongestion exercise from February 1
2 hours -
‘I didn’t hear from my son for seven months’: Inside Yemen’s UAE-run secret prisons
2 hours -
NRSA announces withdrawal of PRO following ISD directive
2 hours -
Headaches, weight loss, breathlessness could signal silent lifestyle diseases
2 hours
