Pep Guardiola has played down Spain’s defeat at the Confederations Cup, as well as reflected on his first few days of work in Germany.
La Roja were outplayed by Brazil for a 3-0 defeat in the Confederations Cup Final at the weekend, to end a season that also saw Barcelona ceremoniously beaten in the Champions League by Guardiola’s new team Bayern Munich.
Even so, the former Barca Coach does not believe that Spain should have much to worry about, nor should his old side.
“Barca and the Spanish national team have led the way for many years. It is normal that Spain has lost, they had to at some point,” reflected Guardiola to reporters today.
“Age is always age, but La Seleccion have a splendid future. Spanish football works very well with young players and there is so much talent that I cannot be worried.
“Barca have achieved 100 points [in the last Primera Division campaign], that’s tremendous. The philosophy of Cruyff continues and they have wonderful players.
“Will Messi and Neymar work together? Is one the best in history and the other a terrific player? Of course they can work together.”
The 42-year-old was asked of his first week in charge at Bayern and on his plans for last year’s treble winners.
“My first week in Munich has been very good for the training and for my players. We have all learned a lot. The players and the club are providing me with many things.
“I am getting help with the language, they are all very supportive. The training camp at Trentino will serve to deepen the team’s tactical ideas and convince the players.
“I have many ideas. I’m using this time to learn about how and where to play each player. I will continue to test.
“How will Bayern play? I hate when the opponents have the ball. I want my team to have the ball. Jupp Heynckes has done an impressive job and my challenge is to maintain what he has done.
“The team has a very smart style of play, they have won the Champions League and have been in three of the last four finals…
“Obviously I have only a few ideas on how to improve. People pay money for your input, and we want to return it with goals. We have several game systems. I will consider playing with a No 9 or a false nine, both options are there.
“We must look ahead and see what we can keep winning. We will not look to the past, at great clubs like Barcelona, Milan and Bayern, you do not. We have to win, win and win. Of course, we will make mistakes.
“My job is to make sure that these errors do not happen again. The weather here does not bother me, but a club like this is not the best of places to not win at. You have to work right from the start.”
