Source: Telegraph
Manchester United v Barcelona: Pep Guardiola says Barcelona could 'drown'
The 38-year-old also sent out the kind of invitation to his players – and those of United – which will hopefully lead to one of the most enthralling, entertaining finals this competition has ever seen. [LNB]'I want players to feel well, to feel beautiful, to tell the whole world that they are here. To be daring,' Guardiola said when asked to expand on the footballing philosophies that underpin his – and Barca's – beliefs. [LNB] Related ArticlesManchester United v Barcelona previewSport on televisionFive of the best final goalsThe final countdownChelsea v Barcelona: Pep Guardiola relishes final with Manchester UnitedManchester United v Barcelona: Style and steel can win final, says Eidur GudjohnsenThere is a hard edge to Guardiola's romanticism. With Barca's defence not being their strongest area, and now shorn of several key players, his invitation is also a statement of honesty. [LNB]'We are more comfortable in having an open defence and not having the ball too close to our own penalty area and in this respect they [United] may be better,' he said. [LNB]'I know we have important missing players but there are no excuses. It's an honour to play this final if we do not have defenders then we will play with more attackers. We have not been scared from the first day [of the season] we have been courageous. I would like to have more players at my disposal but I don't. It is going to be a power game to be sure. [LNB]'We are a good team, a tremendous team and we will play 100 per cent. I wouldn't like to think we'd play differently. We are going to play with the ball. Yes, we are going to attack tomorrow. It's possible we will play badly and be drowned by Manchester United but throughout the season we have proved we can do well.' [LNB]He admitted to concern over the defensive qualities of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic – and the attacking prowess of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, but brushed away suggestions that the match represented a play-off for the latter and Lionel Messi to demonstrate who is the best player in the world. 'It's not important for us to win or lose to know who is better,' Guardiola. [LNB]Victory on Wednesday night would cap a remarkable season – winning the championship, King's Cup and Champions League – made all the more remarkable because it is the former Barca midfielder first season as a coach. [LNB]'I would never have imagined at the beginning of the season, he said. 'I wanted to make a good job but it's too much to win the championship, the cup and now to fight to find out who is the best team of Europe.' [LNB]
