Guardiola- The player

Pep Guardiola has always been associated with Barcelona. Having started there at the age of 13. He joined the world famous academy, La Masia and spent six years honing his skills until he was eventually picked for the first team.

In the 1991-92 season Guardiola became an integral part of Johan Cruyff's legendary side. An achievement very impressive as the player was only 20 at the time. He helped the team from his defensive midfield role to both the league title and the European title.

Guardiola quickly adapted to his central role after Cruyff decided to move him there whilst observing a reserve game. His success earned him the title of the finest player in the world under the age of 21 from Italian magazine Guerin Sportivo.

Guardiola's cup success didn't end there as Barcelona went on to retain the league title for the next 2 seasons. The only negative for the "Dream Team" was an embarrassing 4-0 Champions League final defeat to Fabio Capello's Milan.

After Cruyff left the club in 1996, Barcelona's title winning run came to end and they finished the next two seasons fourth then third.

Guardiola was still seen as important member of the squad and whilst other players were experimented with, he kept his place in the heart of the midfield. After the arrival of Sir Bobby Robson in the 1996-97 season, Barcelona won their first piece of silverware in three years. Starting with the Copa del Rey, they went on to win Supercopa de España and the Cup Winners Cup. Guardiola was again praised for an impressive season.

The next season started with transfer speculation for Guardiola. Roma and Parama were both interested in his signature but Guardiola, after some hesitation, committed to Barcelona until 2001.

The central midfielder spent much of the season on the sidelines with a tricky calf injury. Nevertheless Barça went on to win a league and cup double, guided by new manager Louis van Gaal.

Having recovered during the break, Guardiola was fit to play for the 1998-99 season in which Barcelona again won the league. After missing out on the 1998 World Cup, Guardiola decided to have surgery to try and remove the lingering problem is his calf. The operation was successful but Guardiloa was again rules out towards the end of the 1999-00 season, this time because of an ankle injury.

After 17 years of service in which he played 479 games for the club, Guardila decided it was time to leave the Catalan club. He then went on to join Brescia, Roma, Al-Ahli and Dorados until he eventually retired at the age of 35.

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Osasuna shock Barça

Guardiola and substitute Iniesta Osasuna battled the icy conditions to produce a shock 3-2 victory over Barcelona. The Catalans' poor away form continued as they failed to adapt to a frozen pitch and conceded two early goals. A comeback looked likely when Alexis scored in the 50th minute but Barça's hopes faded when Raúl Garcia scored Osasuna's third. Osasuna adapted to the conditions the quickest and found themselves ahead in the fourth minute. Lekic was the recipient of a clever pass that gave him space in the box and he calmly finished past Valdés to make it 1-0. Pedro stared the game but for a player who's game heavily relies on his pace, a frozen pitch is a nightmare. The winger failed to get past any defenders and his shot fired disappointingly wide. Pedro's nightmare was representative of the whole Barcelona game, the world class passing was unable to function in such cold conditions. Lekic doubled his goal tally in the 21st minute. A Barcelona-esqu...

Barcelona and Valencia end level

Barcelona go into their second leg home tie level with Valencia as the game at the Mestalla ended 1-1. Thanks to goals from Jonas and Puyol. The semi-final cup game produced a well contested match with both sides having good opportunities to score. But in the end it was only Jonas and Puyol who could take their chance. Valencia started the game well and were looking the most likely to score. Soldado and Piatti were causing chaos in the Barça defence and it was Saldado who was involved in one of the biggest talking points of the game. The in-form Spanish striker broke past the defence and looked to go round the Barcelona keeper. Pinto raced off his line to the edge of the area and as Soldado attempted to knock it past him, the goalie hand-balled out of his area. Neither the referee or the linesman spotted it and Pinto was lucky to remain on the field Valencia did not sulk though and continued to press, Soldado coming close with a well hit v...

Barcelona book their place in the final

Xavi rejoices after sealing the win Barcelona will face Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final after beating Valencia 2-0 at the Camp Nou. Barcelona were the better team on the night and if they had taken a few more chances, would've killed the game off very early on. Cesc Fàbregas and Xavi Hernandez were both on the score sheet as Barça ensured Pep Guardiola's twelfth final since he arrived on the Barça bench. Both teams started the game with equal opportunities but neither side could create any real goal scoring chances. Feghouli saw his shot hit the side netting before the deadlock was broken in the 15th minute. Cesc Fàbregas made a well timed run and was picked out by Lionel Messi from inside his own half. The summer signing looked to have overrun the opportunity but you can never rule out an inform player such as Fàbregas from finding the net. From the acutest angle Fàbregas chipped the ball over the Valencia keeper and put Barça ahead. This goal jetted Barça i...

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