VIDEO: Missed penalty was a turning point – Guardiola

الخميس، 05 مارس 2009 - 12:38

كتب : Amro Hassan

بيب

Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola said that Mallorca's wasted penalty against his team in the Copa Del Rey semi-final changed the whole tie's outcome.

After winning the first-leg 2-0 at Nou Camp, Barca where one goal down at ONO Estadi when Jose Marti missed a spot-kick for Mallorca before Lionel Messi levelled the score line.

"We didn’t play with much fluidity and we didn’t create a lot of chances, although we came back out stronger in the second half," Guardiola said after the game

"The truth is that Mallorca’s saved penalty changed everything."

Barcelona are experiencing a run of three league games without a win, and Guardiola added that the Cup achievement can uplift his team.

"There’s no better victory than to qualify for a final, and I hope that this will help the team recover from our slump.

The result means that the Catalan giants will be playing their first Spanish Cup final since winning the competition under Luis Van Gaal's guidance in 1998.

The Blaugrana will now face Atletico Bilbao, who overcame Sevilla 4-2 on aggregate in the semis.

"It is going to be a wonderful final against a rival like Athletic, who are a cup expert. We must build on this and I hope that we do not stop here," Guardiola considered.

Watch the game's goals

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