Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola said that his team can benefit from failing to seal the Primera Liga title as a result of their 3-3 draw with Villareal on Sunday. The Catalans had the chance to clinch a 19th Liga title if they beat Villareal at Nou Camp. However, the draw meant that celebrations will have to wait another round. "Winning La Liga today could've caused the players to lose focus amidst all the celebrations and make it more difficult to prepare for the final," Guardiola said after the game. Barca will play the Spanish Cup final against Atletico Bilbao on Wednesday, as well as the UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United on May 27th.
Iniesta injured against Villareal Guardiola stressed that taking the Champions League semi-final to the wire against Chelsea last week took its toll on his players against Villareal. "To play with ten men against a Chelsea forces you to double your efforts, especially in midfield. We didn't have enough gas today." With three rounds to go, the Blaugranas are leading the league table with 86 points, eight ahead of second-placed Real Madrid. Iniesta Blow
"Winning La Liga could've caused the players to lose focus and make it more difficult to prepare for the final." Midfielder Andres Iniesta was taken off on Sunday after tearing a muscle tear, and Guardiola is convinced that the 24-year-old's injury is a big blow for the whole team. "Losing Iniesta is worse news then not being crowned champions," the former Barca skipper added. "I don't have a good feeling about his injury. We will still do some tests, but there's no way he will play in the Spanish Cup final. "We will try to get him fit for the Champions League final - that's all we can do. We will have what the tests reveal." Barcelona are already certain to be without Eric Abidal when they take on United in the Champions League final, after the Frenchman was sent-off against Chelsea.
