© EuroFootball.com
Strategist Pep Guardiola urges fans not to attack Real Madrid defender Pepe in the upcoming Copa del Rey quarter-final match.
Portugal has recently been in the spotlight, as in the previous match, Pepe intentionally stepped on the hand of opponent striker Lionel Messi and went unpunished.
Guardiola said, "Let's leave Pepe alone. If the coach wants him to play, let him play. I hope this will be the best decision. I hope such attacks like against Luis Figo will not happen again, as fans regret what happened. If it does happen, it will be clear that we did not learn and are not the club we should be. It would be more painful than getting knocked out of the tournament."
The strategist added that despite their 2-1 lead, they will still aim for victory: "I don't want anyone to think that we have already won. There will be a tough fight ahead, where both teams will have the opportunity to achieve the necessary result. If we only try to resist, they will beat us."
Pepe's actions:
"Barcelona" fans greet Figo who joined "Real".
