Guardiola reveals Gijon frustrations

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said his team were worthy winners in Sunday’s 1-0 result at bottom side Sporting Gijon.

A solitary goal from Adriano 12 minutes into the game proved the difference as Barcelona clinched three points to move again to the top of the La Liga standings, but they failed to flex their muscle with more goals against their winless opponents.

Guardiola said while Barcelona was not at their best, Gijon’s defensive approach to the match made space in the final third hard to come by.

“We found a great Sporting Gijon, with many people at the back, very close to each other,” Guardiola said.

“There were not any spaces because they closed down very well.”

“Every time we come off a Champions League game, we have found things hard for us. We played well in the first 30 minutes. Then, we were not brilliant because of Sporting’s good game, but we controlled and they did not create any chances.”

Barca had penalty claims waved away by the referee during the first half, when superstar Lionel Messi appeared to have been brought down in the area by Gijon centre-back Alberto Botia.

Guardiola claimed he missed the incident, but was adamant his Argentine playmaker had not simulated in an attempt to win a spot kick.

“I did not see it, but everyone should know that when Messi falls is because he has been pulled. The officials saw it better than me, you should know that,” he said.

Barcelona will next face the league’s other winless club – Racing Santander – on October 15, following FIFA’s international break.