Guardiola says second Barca treble ´impossible´

European champions Barcelona could aim for an unprecedented six trophies this season but coach Josep Guardiola has played down their chances of even repeating their historic treble success of 2009.

Guardiola capped his second season in charge at the Camp Nou with victory in the Champions League, the Spanish league championship and the King’s Cup, becoming the first Spanish club to achieve such a feat.

Barcelona are only one match away from winning the Spanish Super Cup, a two-leg contest between the league winners and the King’s Cup champions.

And the Catalans have a chance to add a second trophy before the league starts next weekend if they beat UEFA Cup champions Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine in the European Super Cup final in Monaco on August 28.

But Guardiola believes a repeat of last season’s feat is impossible.

“It would be very difficult,” he told the club’s website. “You have to remember that the treble was something the club had never done before in its entire history.

“It is more than probable that we won’t win the treble again.”

Barcelona are finally set to unleash new signing, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, on the Camp Nou having given the Swede a chance to showcase his skills in the midweek ‘Gamper’ trophy friendly, won by English side Manchester City 1-0.

Ibrahimovic failed to shine in the match but Guardiola reiterated the need for fans to give the tall marksman time to settle.

“He should take all the time he needs, as long as he keeps showing the same implication he has shown up to now,” added the Spaniard.

“I’m not worried. What he needs is playing time and that way he’ll adapt properly.”

Because Barcelona won both the league and the King’s Cup last season it was decided that beaten Cup finalists Athletic Bilbao, who lost 4-1 to Barcelona last May, would be their opponents in the Super Cup final.

Barcelona go into Sunday’s second leg against Athletic having won the first leg 2-1.

But Guardiola says a look at past history shows that in the Super Cup they can’t take anything for granted.

“Of the nine times Barça have played the return leg of the Super Cup at home, only one of the games has been won – we have to be careful,” he said.

“Bilbao will be coming to create pressure.”

As well as the three domestic competitions of league, Cup and Super Cup, Barcelona can also trophy in the Champions League, the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup being held in December in the United Arab Emirates.