Guardiola backs under fire Chygrynskiy
Reuters - Wednesday 06 January 2010, 11:34
MADRID - Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has backed Dmytro Chygrynskiy after a poor performance by the Ukraine defender in Tuesday's 2-1 King's Cup defeat by Sevilla provoked whistles from the home fans at the Nou Camp.
"Dima is a fantastic player and the more he gets whistled the more support we will give him because he has many years ahead of him here," Guardiola told a news conference.
The 23-year-old, who joined Barca from Shakhtar Donetsk at the end of August for 25 million euros, gave the ball away several times and conceded the penalty that led to Sevilla's winner in the last 16 first-leg match.
"It will cost him more than others (to settle in) because of where he has come from and the price we paid but if anyone is responsible it's me not him," Guardiola added.