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Rediff.com  » Sports » Barcelona's morale boosting victory shows their strength, says coach Martino
This article was first published 10 years ago

Barcelona's morale boosting victory shows their strength, says coach Martino

March 13, 2014 09:08 IST

Image: A Barcelona fan cheers on his team during the UEFA Champions League match
Photographs: David Ramos/Getty Images

Barcelona showed their true quality by eliminating Manchester City from the Champions League, their coach Gerardo Martino said in response to questions about a poor run of form by his team.

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While it was not a vintage performance from the Catalan side, they showed the right intensity and flashes of quality to beat City 2-1 and eliminate the Premier League team 4-1 on aggregate on Wednesday.

'We came through with a 4-1 victory against a very strong side'

Image: Joleon Lescott of Manchester City rises above Daniel Alves of Barcelona to head the ball
Photographs: David Ramos/Getty Images

In a cagey encounter, it was Lionel Messi who made the breakthrough midway through the second half. City's Pablo Zabaleta was then given a second yellow card for dissent and there were late goals from City's Vincent Kompany and Dani Alves when the tie was all but decided.

"We came through with a 4-1 victory against a very strong side both as a group and individually. If we can play like that against a side like City then it means that we are able to take on any side," said.

'It has not been an easy week'

Image: From left, Ruben Cousillas the Manchester City assistant coach and Gerardo Martino the Barcelona manager direct their players
Photographs: David Ramos/Getty Images

The Argentine was under pressure after Barca lost two of the last three La Liga games against Real Sociedad and Valladolid and they were also beaten in February by Valencia. Those losses cost them first place in the league and they trail Real Madrid by four points.

"It has not been an easy week but we have also played now against a team that was able to go a lot further (in the Champions League). We had to suffer in this game but we are playing in the Champions League," Martino said.

'Big boost for us for the future'

Image: Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates after scoring the opening goal
Photographs: David Ramos/Getty Images

"We were not in control all the time it is true but that would have been the case with any side which plays against them and we were able to defend well and hold out. We qualified for the next round and the way that we did is a big boost for us for the future. Although the league is not now in our hands.

"Having beaten City we are prepared for whoever now in the next round."

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Source: REUTERS
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