Guardiola braces for Leverkusen test

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said his side is fully focused on Bayer Leverkusen ahead of their Champions League round-of-16 clash on Tuesday.

The reigning Spanish and European champions were humbled 3-2 by Osasuna on Saturday to leave them 10 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

Guardiola has come in for some criticism in the wake of the performance, but rather than dwell on the defeat, the Spaniard said his team must be on top of their game to emerge from the first-leg against Leverkusen with the advantage.

“My biggest concern is knowing Leverkusen well, being aware of their virtues,” Guardiola said.

“They will be stronger than us when we do not have possession. That will lead to us giving away fouls and corners. And they are very dangerous in the air.”

“If we do not have control, we will have problems.”

Guardiola said he was not bothered by the criticism that came his way after the Osasuna defeat, and defended the record of his side over the past three years.

“I did not mind what was said after Pamplona,” he said.

“Not having won, I thought that I’d find myself in a situation like this. But winning 13 of a possible 16 titles shows that we do not throw anything away.”

Guardiola dismissed the assumption that because their hopes of winning La Liga now appear slim, it will be easier to retain their European crown.

“People think that because the league is now very difficult, we will win the Champions League and that if we do not win, it’s a failure – as if it were simple. I don’t understand that,” he said.

“The goal is to compete well, as in the second part in Pamplona, and see how far we get. We will evaluate at the end of the season.”

“But this Champions League is as difficult as the two we won (in 2009 and 2011) and also the one we lost in the semis against Inter (in 2010).”

“Since Milan’s victories (in 1989 and 1990), nobody has defended the title, but I do not need the Champions League to prove our strength to me. These players have already shown what their level is.”

The second leg against Leverkusen will be held at Camp Nou on March 7.