Pep Guardiola: Barcelona Must Keep Winning To Keep Real Madrid At Bay

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola aware that there is no room for error in the second half of the Primera Division season.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has warned his team that they must continue to pick up victories in the second half of the season, because rivals Real Madrid will be challenging them all the way until the end of the campaign.

The Blaugrana tactician was speaking to the media today regarding his impressions of how his team has fared so far this season, and also what will be required of his players in the second round of fixtures.

He said: “The feeling has been good from the first round. To be champions, however we will have to collect many more points because Real Madrid are a very good team. It requires much merit from us in order to be able to compete with a team as good as them.

“Behind them are others, such as Villarreal, who when they play to their best are among the best sides in Europe. We know that we need to produce a good second round.”

Guardiola continued by discussing the prospect of facing Deportivo at the Riazor this weekend, with the Galicians having won both of their fixtures in 2011.

He added: “[Miguel Angel] Lotina is a very experienced coach. Nobody knows his staff better than him. It is true that he achieves good results, and we will see what we can do, but we know that there is no room in the league to lose points.”

Finally, Pep addressed those who are critical of Barcelona’s style of play, concluding: “Perhaps there are people who do not like to see Barca. We try to play our best, make the most of our chances, but I understand there are people who do not like us. Everyone has a say.”