Despite video evidence showing Busquets and company inventing injuries, Barcelona have refused to consider Mourinho’s claim that “an image is worth more than a thousand words”.
They Blaugrana insist that they are an example to the world. Last week, the Santiago Bernabeu stadium transformed into a theatre of heated disputes.
Real Madrid then made complaints to UEFA for the behaviour of six Barcelona players—two of which included Pedro and Sergio Busquets who were slammed by a portion of the public as “divers”. However, UEFA rejected Real Madrid’s reports at the delight of Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.
“They can present all the complaints they like, but UEFA are the ones who decide,” Guardiola declared during Barcelona vs Real Madrid’s pre-match conference.
“They think we are unsporting. But I think it’s completely the opposite. Here, we teach our players manners from a young age.
“[Jose] Mourinho was here [at Barcelona] for five years and he knows our values: they are to win, to fight and to earn respect by respecting your rival.”
Play maker Xavi Hernandez also supported Pep Guardiola’s comments. The midfielder defended the image of Barcelona and called on everyone at the club to ignore Jose Mourinho by stating:
“We should not get into a war of words with Mourinho. Like Pep says, Mourinho always wins war of words. But we need to speak on the field.
“Barcelona have always shown exemplary conduct in their matches. But Real Madrid’s play is not football. What people want to see is attractive and offensive football. They don’t want to see a team locked up behind in defence.
“Fans don’t want to see a dry football pitch with long grass. We have to leave these things [complaints from Real Madrid] behind, though, and play our own football.”
Real Madrid then made complaints to UEFA for the behaviour of six Barcelona players—two of which included Pedro and Sergio Busquets who were slammed by a portion of the public as “divers”. However, UEFA rejected Real Madrid’s reports at the delight of Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.
“They can present all the complaints they like, but UEFA are the ones who decide,” Guardiola declared during Barcelona vs Real Madrid’s pre-match conference.
“They think we are unsporting. But I think it’s completely the opposite. Here, we teach our players manners from a young age.
“[Jose] Mourinho was here [at Barcelona] for five years and he knows our values: they are to win, to fight and to earn respect by respecting your rival.”
Play maker Xavi Hernandez also supported Pep Guardiola’s comments. The midfielder defended the image of Barcelona and called on everyone at the club to ignore Jose Mourinho by stating:
“We should not get into a war of words with Mourinho. Like Pep says, Mourinho always wins war of words. But we need to speak on the field.
“Barcelona have always shown exemplary conduct in their matches. But Real Madrid’s play is not football. What people want to see is attractive and offensive football. They don’t want to see a team locked up behind in defence.
“Fans don’t want to see a dry football pitch with long grass. We have to leave these things [complaints from Real Madrid] behind, though, and play our own football.”
