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 Despite being the heavy favorites to win the Champions League final, FC Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola sounds pessimistic and spent, as though sensing that a loss to Manchester United is imminent.
Quoted in Spanish news outlet, Adn.es, Guardiola said, “Whoever loses will feel hurt, but losing does not erase what has been done well.” Referring to report stating that Johan Cruyff said that if Barcelona wins the Champions League final, Guardiola will leave, Pep simply said: “My future does not need to be discussed at this time.” Guardiola issued a warning: "If we play like we did in Rome, we will not win.” The 2009 Champions League final, played in Italy’s capital, was won by Barca, 2-0, with goals from Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi. With the win, Barcelona earned a historic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, a feat never before achieved by a Spanish club. Ironically, Guardiola said that winning, yes, winning may affect him and the club negatively. "The wear and tear does take place, but when you win you have to keep winning and think about continuing the course. Win or lose, there are always problems. Winning allows you to work with more tranquility. But after a year of winning one has to try to do it again the next year.” Compared to the squad that beat ManU in Rome, Guardiola said that this year’s Barca team is better but remained extremely cautious, and sounded worried. “We are enthusiastic, but if we play at the Rome level, we will not win. In Rome, Manchester United had more intensity. Looking back at that game, I see that we did not play well. Now we have to do a better job.” The won the match in Rome, 2-0, but Guardiola says they must do a better job. Is he really concerned and worried or is this just a psychological strategy to motivate this players? Does he think that ManU is better and that they have great momentum that will carry them to victory? What to make of Guardiola’s statements? BETTING ODDS According to Bodog.com, FC Barcelona is a heavy favorite over Manchester United. FC Barcelona is placed at -225 (bet $100 to win $44), and ManU stands at +165 (bet $100 to win $165). NEW NIKE BLACK JERSEY ON THE WAY FOR BARCELONA Nike recently revealed the new jerseys of the legendary Catalan club. The away kit is entirely black: black jersey, black shorts, and black socks with yellow trim. The Quarter Foundation is the new name emblazoned across the front of both the home and away strips. The Unicef letters moved to rear of the jerseys. News reports indicate that the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development will pay Barca 150 million Euros over five years as they become the club's first ever paying shirt sponsors. Unicef does not pay Barca for the privilege of having their name on their jerseys.
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