Guardiola aims to kick cup habit

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola wants to improve his side’s poor recent performances in the Copa del Rey by securing a spot in the final on Wednesday.

After scoring a 5-0 rout in the first leg clash with Almeria, Barcelona are a near certainty to progress to the final when they travel to the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos.

Guardiola is keen for a repeat of the 2008/09 season, when his side scored its first cup triumph in 11 years.

“Tomorrow is a good time to reach the Copa del Rey final, which we have only done once in three years,” Guardiola said.

“That is the aim, and the opportunity is there. We are all pushing to get to the final. Few players haven’t been part of this campaign, so tomorrow we will decide who plays.”

“The best way to go through is to go out to win. Not focusing on the result from the first leg and going out to win is the best way to get through.”

“The best form of defence is attack, and the only thing I want us to do is attack. We are going for it, so don’t be surprised if we win comprehensively. That is what we will try to do.”

Despite leading Real Madrid by seven points in La Liga, Guardiola insists he will be taking nothing for granted as the season enters the serious end.

“A manager as prestigious as (Real’s Jose) Mourinho, who is so competitive, won’t give up on anything in January,” Guardiola said.

“He won’t give up on anything until the end. We had a first half of the year with only one loss and one draw.”

“It is a good first half and a good start to the second that we are having. But in order to win we will need another 51 points.”

“There are no guarantees that we are going to do that. In football, what you have done before doesn’t guarantee anything.”