Skip to main content

A dozen finals for Guardiola

The taste of success
With Barcelona securing their place in this year's Copa del Rey final during the week, Guardiola has now lead his side to twelve finals since he took over the Barça bench.

Maybe more impressively is Guardiola has only been coach since 2008. During his first season in charge, Guardiola led his side to both the Copa del Rey final and the Champions League final. Both trophies went to the Catalans and Pep earned his plaudits.

Next season Guardiola upped his final count to three. Starting the year with victories in both the Spanish and European Super cup against Athletic Bilbao and Shakhtar Donetsk respectively. During December of that year Barcelona beat Estudiantes to claim the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup. A trophy that signalled history as Barcelona became the first club to win the "Sextuple."

A record that has still not been achieved by any other club.

Barcelona and Guardiola again reached three finals during the 2010-11 season. Barça started the season with a Spanish Super cup win against Seville, recovering from a 3-1 away defeat in the first leg by hitting four with no reply in the home tie. After securing another La Liga title, Barcelona faced Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final. A Ronaldo header in extra time made this tie become the only final Guardiola had lost since he took control of the reigns.

Fans were not disheartened for long though as Barcelona outclassed Manchester United in the Champions League. Humiliating the Red Devils with a 3-1 win. Becoming Guardiola's second Champions League title in three years.

This year Guardiola already has four finals under his belt. Gaining revenge from Madrid with a 5-4 aggregate win which gained them the Spanish Super Cup. Next they won the European Super Cup by defeating Porto 3-0 in Monaco.

Their third final and trophy came in Japan against Santos. Before kick off many had claimed that this would be a tough test for Barça especially with Santos' star player Neymar, who happens to be a transfer target for Guardiola, on the field. Barcelona again outclassed their opponent and Neymar commented that they "got taught how to play football."

With the season only halfway completed, Barcelona have a chance to increase their final count to five. Their fourth will come against Athletic Bilbao in the King's Cup while they are still to face Bayer Leverkusen in the first knockout stage of the Champions League.

Pep Guardiola has reach 12 finals and won 11 of them in only four seasons. An accolade only he can boast. Being 41, Guardiola has the potential to increase this final count and become the most successful manager in Barcelona's history. Over to you then Pep.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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...
Post a Comment
Read more

Upcoming Opponents: Málaga FC

Team name: Málaga Club de Fútbol Recent form: L-D-L-D-L One to watch: Santi Cazorla Competition: La Liga Fixture date: 22nd January 2012 Stadium: Estadio La Rosaleda Coming from a 2-1 midweek Clásico win, Barcelona next face a reformed Málaga away. The southern Spain side currently sit eighth in the La Liga table and trail Barcelona by 16 points. But their recent form has been poor and that has seen them lose ground in the fight for the European places. Málaga have not won since late November having been on a run of three draws and five defeats. This is a record that looks likely to increase when the Catalans come to town. Barcelona are also in a race but for them it's the title race. Currently five points behind leaders Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola can not afford to concede any more points to José Mourinho's side. Many will be expecting Barcelona to win this game comfortably. Especially with the adrenaline still pumping from that Clásico win. But Barcelona face M...
Post a Comment
Read more

Upcoming Opponents: Villarreal

Team name: Villarreal Club de Fútbol Recent form: W-L-D-L-D One to watch: Marco Rubén Competition: La Liga Fixture date: 28th January 2012 Stadium: El Madrigal After securing progression in the Copa del Rey, Barcelona next face Villarreal. El Submarino Amarillo are half way through a very disappointing season and are currently sitting at 17th in the La Liga table. They desperately need points but will be lucky to finish the weekend out of the drop zone. Barcelona also desperately need points in order to reduce the five point deficit between them and Real Madrid. By the time the game kicks off, Madrid will already have played their game against Real Zaragoza and Pep Guardiola will be hoping the point gap remains at five. Guardiola will be without David Villa, Ibrahim Affelay and Andrés Iniesta, who picked up a muscle tear in Wednesday's game. Leaving a first team spot for rising stars, Thiago and Cuenca. Villarreal's main problem this season has been their leak...
Post a Comment
Read more