FC Barcelona vs. Chelsea FC: Pep Guardiola's Press Conference and What This Week Means for his Future

Pep Guardiola gave his press conference today in London ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League semifinal match against Chelsea. I was impressed all over again by this man—a model of class, good humor, and humility. More than anything, Pep reminded everyone of how special this moment is for FC Barcelona, and encouraged us to enjoy it to the fullest.

It was a typically unemotional and practical performance by the likable manager, and while it didn't reveal much about what's in store for tomorrow's match, Guardiola's press conference did offer an opportunity to reflect on what this pivotal week may mean for his future as coach of FC Barcelona.

Pep emphasized how consistently excellent Chelsea have been over the past five to eight years, and that while they’ve changed trainers and some players, they’ve maintained the same spirit and the same core of special players.

Asked if he thought Chelsea would be out for revenge (after falling to Barcelona in the semifinals of 2009's Champions League), Pep downplayed the possibility, saying that the past is the past and that now both teams are playing to get to the final in Munich.

One reporter asked if Jose Mourinho, who he referred to as “your friend”, might have any influence on the match by contacting his former players at Chelsea to give extra encouragement. Pep replied in English by saying “first of all, thank you for saying ‘my friend’”, then downplayed this possibility, pointing out that Mourinho also used to be a coach at Barcelona. He added that these sorts of players have been coached by so many men over so many years, that they are motivated primarily by a desire to advance in Champions League play.

Asked about the stretch of games ahead, including the clásico on Saturday, Pep said that “women say that men can’t focus on more than one thing at once”, and that all his squad is considering is the match ahead—afterwards they’ll prepare for Real Madrid.

A reporter from the Czech republic asked if Guardiola had any special plans to beat their very special keeper Petr Cech. Pep replied in English saying “I told the players to shoot for the corners”, holding up his fingers to demonstrate the upper ninety.

An English reporter asked Pep about the reports that Abromovich wants Pep as the next manager of Chelsea. Guardiola said that this is no time to discuss these issues, that he’s here to play against Chelsea, and above all that Chelsea have a very fine manager already (in Roberto di Matteo).

Guardiola was again asked about his future, and if there would be a date when the public would be made aware of his plans for next year. He immediately began talking about “the gift” that is to be in this situation as a manager and as a club. He said that it’s a very special situation, that he’s incredibly grateful to his players, his club, his staff, and the fans for the opportunity to sit at a press conference before the Champions League semifinal. A very nice misdirection, and as a sign of the respect Guardiola commands, there were no further questions on this topic.

Not much to go on in terms of match tactics for tomorrow. Mostly we just saw Pep as his usual humble, hard-working and pragmatic self. His eloquence in three languages, his respect and deference towards all parties mentioned, and his overall message of gratitude and humility were what impressed me the most. We’re a lucky group of football fans to have this man at the helm.

Indeed we find ourselves in a special place as culés. In six days' time, FC Barcelona have the opportunity to advance to the finals of the Champions League for the second year in a row, and move within one point of a fourth consecutive La Liga title. Whether or not these feats are accomplished may have alot to do with the continuance of Mr. Guardiola.

My feeling is that if Barcelona wins the Champions League, Pep will walk away—perhaps taking a much-needed break from football entirely. Winning Europe's top competition for the third time in four years (and becoming the first manager to do it twice in a row) would surely serve as a marvelous farewell to his beloved club. Combined with a ridiculous trophy haul from other competitions, Guardiola—on the strength of four remarkable years—would go down as arguably the greatest manager of all time.

If Barcelona does not win the Champions League, however, and if defeat is handed out by rivals Madrid—perhaps domestically and in Europe—I think Pep might just be motivated to come back next year. He's tired, I think, but not having stated that this will be his final year means he's almost surely considering another. Like all great competitors, Guardiola wants to go out on top.

So while we hope and pray for glorious victory, let's remember that these be the good ol' days, and that in winning we may actually be losing our greatest asset—the incomparable Josep Guardiola.

I proved doubters wrong: Drogba

Didier Drogba declared he had answered the critics who branded him over the hill after he scored the winner in Chelsea’s incredible 1-0 win over Barcelona.

The 34-year-old found the net with his – and the Blues’ – only shot on target in last night’s semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge to give Roberto Di Matteo’s men hope of reaching next month’s final.

Otherwise, like the rest of his team-mates, the veteran striker was limited almost exclusively to chasing around a Barca side who had 72% possession.

Drogba looks certain to leave Chelsea when his contract expires this summer after the club refused to offer him more than a one-year extension.

Some have doubted whether the Ivorian’s body is still able to handle playing two matches in quick succession, but the man who also scored a stunning opener in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final thrashing of Tottenham said: “For those who said that I was too old, they saw that I could run maybe one, two or three more years!”

Chelsea’s so-called old guard led by example again last night, with Drogba, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole magnificent in carrying out caretaker manager Di Matteo’s inspirational game plan.

The Italian looks certain to deploy the same tactics in Tuesday’s second leg at the Nou Camp, where the Blues will need to be just as clinical.

“We have to go there now and try to score another one,” said Drogba, who knew that would mean Barca having to score three, something they could easily have done last night had they not wasted the five gilt-edged chances that fell their way.

Drogba added: “That’s football and I think we were a bit lucky. You have to work for luck to come and to happen. We worked a lot. We worked hard.”

Despite claiming he had plenty more fuel in the tank, Drogba looks certain to be rested for Saturday’s crucial Barclays Premier League clash at Arsenal.

That could have a major say in whether Chelsea qualify for next season’s Champions League by finishing in the top four or are forced to try to win the competition to do so.

Drogba said: “It’s a difficult week, difficult 10 days for us after Spurs, this game, and then Arsenal, and then again Barcelona. It’s going to be an important, very decisive week for us, and I think we’re up for it.”

Di Matteo salutes old guard

London - Roberto Di Matteo said Chelsea's old guard had silenced their critics after leading the club to a 1-0 upset of holders Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday.The elder statesman of the Chelsea line-up - 34-year-old Didier Drogba - scored the winner as the Premier League side withstood a furious Barcelona onslaught to hang on for a memorable first-leg victory.
Chelsea's win came despite being outplayed by long periods, with Barcelona enjoying 72 percent possession throughout the match to their opponents' 28.
The Spaniards also had 24 attempts on goal while Chelsea's only shot on target came in the shape of Drogba's winner.

Nevertheless the win was a triumph for Drogba, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Ashley Cole and Petr Cech as Barcelona were sent crashing to their first European defeat this season."In the past a lot of the public opinion has been that these boys are over the line and too old to play two games at this level," Di Matteo told reporters, referring to Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final win over Tottenham on Sunday."It wasn't just (Drogba) - we had other players on the pitch that you regard as old guard that have played two games in such a short period of time. I think they gave their answer on the pitch tonight."Di Matteo had surprised many pundits by electing to start with Drogba in attack ahead of 50 million man Fernando Torres.However the interim Chelsea manager admitted he had chosen Drogba to start after being impressed by his goalscoring contribution to Sunday's 5-1 drubbing of Spurs at Wembley."I felt I had to be fair looking back at the game on Sunday with the way we wanted to play. For today's game he was the right man to play," Di Matteo said.While praising the veterans of Chelsea's line-up, Di Matteo was at pains to pay tribute to a "tremendous" collective effort."I think that the balance has to be good within the team. It's not just the defenders defending -- it's the whole team," Di Matteo said."So I think you need to be able to close down the space as much as possible and limit their threat as much as possible. But ultimately with the quality of the individuals they have they will create some problems."But it wasn't just our defenders it was a collective defensive performance."We're delighted with the performance of the team and the result we got today. We've won all our Champions League games at home this season and we've faced some tough opponents."I think tonight was one of the biggest challenges we've had for many years."Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola meanwhile said the defeat had left Chelsea as favourites to advance to next month's final in Munich."They are favourites," Guardiola said. "They have a good result but at least we have the challenge to play 90 minutes. And in that time we have the opportunity to create chances. But 1-0 is a very good result for them."Di Matteo brushed off Guardiola's assessment of the tie however."I don't think it makes us favourites," he said. "It's 50-50 for both teams to go through to the final."You know what to expect when you go to the Camp Nou - it's going to be very, very difficult. We still have to believe that we might be able to score a goal there. It's going to be a tough game, it's a tough game for anyone going there."We'll have to be at our best again. We're very pleased but it's only half-time and nothing has been decided. We've another game to play yet."Guardiola meanwhile dismissed suggestions that Barcelona had been robbed of victory given their overwhelming dominance of possession and shots on goal."They won, that's football," Guardiola said. "It's not a question of fairness. They scored, and we didn't. Congratulations Chelsea."If football matches were awarded to teams who had the most average possession of the ball we would win every game. But the most difficult thing is getting the ball into the net."