No semi-final yet, says Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has said Barcelona are yet to book a Champions League semi-finals place despite their romping victory over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Barcelona picked up a healthy advantage in the first leg of the quarter-final encounter at the Nou Camp on Wednesday, winning 5-1 courtesy of goals from Andres Iniesta, Daniel Alves, Gerard Pique, Seydou Keita and Xavi Hernandez.

Ukranian Premier League holders Shakhtar had their own chances, although they could only muster a solitary goal in the 60th minute when Dario Srna’s effort deflected off Yaroslav Rakytskiy and into the back of the net.

But despite Barca’s four-goal advantage heading into the return leg in Ukraine, Barca manager Guardiola remained wary of his opponents.

“The result is what it is, but Shakhtar are led by an experienced coach and I am still afraid,” he said.

Guardiola is adamant the tie is not yet over and claimed he is not thinking about a likely semi-final meeting with arch-rivals Real Madrid, who have one foot in the next stage after comprehensively beating Tottenham on Tuesday.

“We have to play in Donetsk first and then we will think about Real Madrid,” Guardiola said.

Shakhtar goalscorer Rakytskiy lamented his side’s lack of cutting edge in front of goal against the Spanish powerhouse.

“Their early goal knocked us back a little bit,” he said. “We had enough chances in the first half to even go in front.”

“Fortune favoured Barcelona today, but the final score is our fault and it’s down to a lack of attention – we helped them to score four goals.”

“We shall analyse our mistakes and surely we’ll show what we’re about in Donetsk. We hope to win at home.”