Guardiola takes positives after Supercup setback

File photo of FC Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola(Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

FC Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola looked on the positive side of events after seeing his side slump to a 3-1 defeat away to Sevilla in the first leg of the Spanish Supercup.

Zlatan Ibrahimovich put Barcelona ahead in the first half, but goals from Luis Fabiano and two from Freddy Kanoute in the last half hour, gave Sevilla a two-goal lead to take into next weekend's return leg in Barca's Camp Nou Stadium.

Guardiola traveled to Seville with none of his Spain internationals in the squad, following last Wednesday's friendly in Mexico.


That meant his side was made up of experienced players such as Seydou Keita and Diego Miltio and youngsters such as Oriol, Jonathan Dos Santos and Sergio Gomez.

Meanwhile Mino made his debut in goal, while Ibrahimovich led the attack, despite rumors linking him with a move to England.

The Sevilla side had a familiar look to it and that experience was to prove vital in their second half fightback.

"Everyone worked hard, the older players and the youngsters played well, but we paid a heavy price in the way the game developed," said Guardiola Sunday.

The Barca coach believes that his players' inability to play their usual passing game played a part in the first competitive match of the season, which was held in one of the hottest cities in Spain.

"We didn't control the first half and maybe that influenced us getting fatigued. When Sevilla uses the wings its is a powerful side and it can do things well," he added,

Nevertheless Guardiola took heart from the fact that his players had scored an away goal and that a 2-0 win in the Camp Nou, when the Spain internationals will be available to play, will be enough to give his side its first title of the season.

"It's not a good result, but we have scored a goal and that is always positive. We will have to play well to beat Sevilla, but we'll see what happens," he said.

Source: Xinhua