Guardiola hails Betis performance

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola congratulated second-tier side Real Betis after they ended Barca’s winning streak.

Real upset Guardiola’s side 3-1 in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey fixture, halting Barcelona’s run of 28 games in all competitions without loss.

Barca still advanced to the semi-finals by virtue of their 5-0 win at the Camp Nou in the first leg of their quarter-final tie, but Guardiola was impressed with the minnow club after their became the first Spanish second-tier side to defeat the Catalan giants since 2004.

“I am pleased that we reached the next stage of the Copa del Rey, as victory was achieved against a very strong contender,” Guardiola told Marca.

“When we analyse the game against Betis, we will understand that we had a really hard time. It’s true we achieved a major victory in the first match, but we were clearly aware that the return game would be hard to overcome.”

“I would like to congratulate Real Betis, because they are a very good team. I don’t know whether this team is the best we have met in the cup, but certainly one of them.”

Barcelona face La Liga strugglers Almeria in the semi-finals of the King’s Cup, with the first leg taking place at the Camp Nou next Wednesday.