Guardiola after first failure: ‘This hurts’

(GSM) – Barcelona hoped to match the splendid performances of 2009 in the new year, but after two weeks in 2010 their hopes have vanished.

In the Copa del Rey, Sevilla was the stronger team on aggregate, and Barcelona exited its first competition under coach Josep Guardiola

“This hurts,” said an emotional Guardiola afterwards.

Barca won the second leg of the last 16 tie 1-0 in the Andalusian capital but a 2-1 defeat in last week’s home leg meant they were eliminated on the away goals rule, Guardiola’s first taste of failure since he took over last season.

“It’s not good news, even if people will say that we can now concentrate on La Liga and the Champions League,” said Guardiola.

“In sport we are not taught how to lose and this has affected us.”

Guardiola blamed himself for the defeat.

“With this squad and these players maybe I should have got more out of them in the Cup and not lost in the last 16 and I am sorry that I failed,” added the 38-year-old coach.

“It’s a good sign that the dressing room is affected, that it affects them to lose. I am happy about that,” he addeed.

“I saw reactions in the dressing room that pleased me. This shows we still have the hunger to win.

“We went down staying faithful to our style of play and now we need to get ourselves together again for the future.”

Barca will instantly get a chance for revenge, as they face Sevilla for La Liga on Saturday.