Guardiola marvels at mood on the streets ahead of Inter

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola says that he has never before experienced an atmosphere quite so charged as his team prepare for their crunch Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan.

Ever since the final whistle blew at the San Siro last week there has been a media frenzy in Catalonia over the return leg and the chances of Barca turning around the 3-1 deficit.

The players have spoken about how convinced they are that they can win the game and reach the final in Real Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium, and fans have even set up a website to support the club in their effort to achieve it.

Defender Gerard Pique said the fans have to give such an intimidating reception for the Inter players that they will no longer want to be footballers.

But there is also a chance also that this intense emotion ahead of the game could work against the team.

“We are anxious to play the match and win for ourselves and the fans, we are not interested in anything else. I have never felt an atmosphere like this before either as coach or player, with people coming up to us and wishing us well.

“When the players retire they will look back at this moment and the way people stopped them in the street,” said Guardiola.

“We are very demanding of ourselves and honour is the most important thing that you can have in a profession whether you are a film director, a writer, whatever.

“The fans need to come to the game to support us, enjoy the football and not to try and contain the other side. We will give everything, we know that we play good football and simple football where we attack as much as possible.

“We have the same desire as always, it doesn’t matter that we won the competition last time. Compared to the last match we need to control possession better and attack more.

“I don’t know whether we can manage the turnaround but we will do our best, what we have achieved before is now in the past.”

Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets admitted he was motivated by the chance of playing the final in the stadium of rivals Real Madrid.

“The team is always ambitious but this time I have noticed something special. There is a lot of expectation riding on this game,” he said.

“We are a step away from the final and so this is the moment of truth. We have the best fans in the world and it is sure to be a magical night. We can’t lose our heads though and play without thinking.”