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Pep Guardiola Defends Players After Barcelona Held In Gijon

Keesh Sundaresan, February 13 2011,
Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola refused to critizise his player's performances despite being held to a draw with lowly Sporting Gijon.
David Villa celebrates after scoring the equaliser against his former club
David Villa celebrates after scoring the equaliser against his former club
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Barcelona
Athletic Bilbao
Related Articles: Barcelona, Pep Guardiola, Sporting Gijon, La Liga,
Barcelona were on a run of 16 consecutive league victories in the La Liga and this result has successfully ended that run. It also gives Real Madrid a chance to cut the gap between them to five points.

However, Guardiola refused to blame his players and even praised them for their efforts in fighting back from a goal down.

"We did not win but we tried everything to achieve it," the former Barca and Spain midfielder, who this week extended his contract until the end of next season, told a news conference.

"We can lose or draw if we do it like this. Pressing, pressing and pressing," he added.

"It's not easy attacking when you are faced with 10 players behind the ball."

Pep Guardiola also praised the tactics used by his counterpart Manuel Preciado and rejected the suggestion that the international break was the reason behind this slump.

"It's not the fault of the national teams," he said.

"At Barca you have to know how to compete every three days and these players have shown they can do it millions of times."

Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao

Date: Sunday, 20 Feb 2011
Time: 15:00 ( US/Eastern )
Competition: Spain La Liga
Live/Repeat: Live
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona (Barcelona)

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