Guus Hiddink defends strongarm tactics

01 May 2009 21:21
The goalless draw in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final was the only home match this season in which Barcelona have failed to score but, rather than analyse their own failings, they have spent much of the past three days complaining about the supposed strong-arm and negative approach from Chelsea. Hiddink hit back on Friday during preparations for Saturday's home clash with Fulham in which he will consider resting key players. He stressed that football is a "man's game" and promising that his Chelsea team would not "cry" if things did not go their way. The Dutchman also appears willing to employ the same strategy in the second leg on Wednesday at Stamford Bridge if Chelsea again struggle to impose their style. "I know how it goes in Spain," said Hiddink, who previously coached Real Madrid. "They are used to scoring. It was the first time they hadn't, so that was disappointing for them. It was a man's match. They were controlling and dominating the game. We would, of course, have liked to play more, but we were playing the best team in their concept of football. "When you play a team like that, you must give resistance. Tactically, we did what we had to do. We were well organised and played well defensively. This team has the character to fight as well. We can't say 'sorry' for not conceding a goal. "I emphasise on being a winner, not giving in and starting to cry when it's not going well. If you can't easily win, you must not be easily beaten. If we can't play in the way we like, we don't throw in the towel." Manchester United used similar containing tactics when ultimately progressing 1-0 on aggregate against Barcelona last year and, with no foreign team having eliminated any English club from the Champions League since 2007, the frustration emanating from Spain is considerable. Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola claimed that Chelsea had spent Tuesday's match "just" fouling and said his team had been the only one attempting to play. The Barcelona players went further, with Xavi saying that there had been no fair play from Hiddink's team and Yaya Toure describing the lack of bookings for Chelsea players as "worse than deplorable". Hiddink simply argued that his critics had got their facts wrong. "We don't know fear," he said. "I challenge and invite everyone to watch the DVD. I've seen, without tension or emotion, the DVD and I don't think it's as bad as was suggested. There were some good duels. They have Toure, Abidal, Pique and Puyol who understand this approach so well. It's not a black and white situation." Barcelona face Real Madrid on Saturday in a match that could decide La Liga.

Source: Telegraph