© EuroFootball.com
"Strategist Pep Guardiola insists that it is still too early to celebrate the title of Spanish champions. After Saturday's 'El Clasico' with Madrid's 'Real', which ended in a 1-1 draw, the Catalans maintained a safe eight-point advantage over their closest pursuer from Madrid. There are six rounds left until the end of the championship. "We are not champions yet," said Guardiola. "We have an eight-point lead and six upcoming matches." Guardiola praised rival Jose Mourinho, who unexpectedly ordered defender Pepe to play in a defensive midfield role and disrupt Barcelona's famous attacks. "We expected something like that," said the coach of the Catalan team. "Pepe is a strong footballer with a lot of experience. Knowing that, we expected him to play well." The specialist also assured that defender Carles Puyol's injury is not related to a knee injury, which kept him out of play for three months this season. "I think it's a minor calf strain, related to the fact that he hasn't played much lately, and the match was intense. We will evaluate everything before the King's Cup final," said the strategist."
