Pep wary of players underestimating Plzen
Reuters - Tuesday 18 October 2011, 17:39
One of Barcelona coach Pep
Guardiola's main tasks before Wednesday's Group H match against
Champions League newcomers Viktoria Plzen will be to make sure
his players do not underestimate the little-known Czech side.
Holders Barca have occasionally slipped up against what
Guardiola called the "small teams" prompting accusations of
complacency, and the last time they lost in Europe's elite club
competition at the Nou Camp was to unfancied Rubin Kazan of
Russia almost exactly two years ago.
Since that 2-1 reverse they have won nine and drawn two at
their massive arena in the Catalan capital but Guardiola, a
former Barca midfielder who has won two continental titles in
his first three seasons as coach, told a news conference on
Tuesday he was not taking anything for granted.
"Typically these kinds of teams are underestimated because
you don't see them playing and you don't know them," the
40-year-old said.
"Losing respect for Viktoria Plzen would be a great
mistake," he added.
"We have always had more trouble with small teams than with
the more prestigious ones."
Despite Guardiola's concerns, the sparkling form his gifted
squad has shown this season suggests anything other than a
convincing victory for the home side would be a massive shock.
They are unbeaten in 18 matches in all competitions
stretching back to a La Liga defeat at Real Sociedad in April
and have scored 40 goals in their opening 12 games this season,
15 more than in the same span of matches last term.
Their Argentine World Player of the Year Lionel Messi,
Champions League top scorer the past three seasons, has
continued his astonishing run of breathtaking goals and has two
in two games in Europe and 10 in seven matches in La Liga.
Messi told an earlier news conference on Tuesday there was
little danger he and his team mates would lack motivation
against the Czech champions on Wednesday.
"We are always motivated in the same way," the 24-year-old
said, praising Guardiola for his coaching methods.
"He is always looking for new details, new ways to improve
at every training session, every day," Messi said.
"In the Champions League there are no easy teams, wherever
they come from.
"They [Plzen] played a good game against AC Milan and had
chances to score.
"We will play the same way as ever, respecting the opponent
and trying to play our game and having as much possession as
possible."
Barca are level with Milan on four points from two games,
with Plzen and BATE Borisov of Belarus on one point.