Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: "Copa del Rey" Final is not the match of the season for Guardiola

For Josep Guardiola, it makes sense to hear that Real Madrid will use counterattacks as their main strategy against Barcelona. That's why he said this 'Copa del Rey' Final "will not be the game of the season".

"Our philosophy is to play and move really fast, to get tired of playing great football" said the Catalan coach. "I'm in no position to criticise Mourinho's strategy".

Barcelona arrived at Valencia and visited the Mestalla Stadium, the perfect scenario for such a final. But Guardiola remains cautious. "Beating Real Madrid in a final will not chage history. Such a result will not change everything that Madrid have won."

Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: 1-1 draw in first duel

The 1-1 draw tasted like victory for Real Madrid. Mourinho's side displayed a great performance in front of the best team in the world and have a morale boost which help them face the next three derbies with real hopes of beating Guardiola's squad. Still, Barcelona remains 8 points ahead of Madrid and are almost champions of the Spanish League.

Talented Lionel Messi scored the opener with a penalty shoot. Cristiano Ronaldo netted the equalizar in the second in the same style.

The duel Ronaldo-Messi ended up tied as well. The Portuguese striker proved to be just as crucial for his team as the argentinian star.

Now Guardiola has to prepare his team for the second derby, the most important one so far, in the Copa del Rey final.

Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: Guardiola cautious with his words

With four Barcelona vs. Real Madrid games in the next 18 days, Barcelona's coach Guardiola knows that he must be careful with his words before facing their classic rival. His team will battle Real Madrid tonight at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, and he spoke about that.

Despite having some of the best players in the world, such as Messi or Iniesta, Guardiola prefers to be cautious. "Real Madrid are favorites in this game. They run more than us, they shoot more than we do. They are faster and stronger... I've never seen a team like them" said the catalan coach.

This first derby has not the same importance as the Copa del Rey final or the Champion's semis, but it will be really important to achieve a victory to face the rest duels with less pressure.

Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: Puyol fit for the first derby

Carles Puyol is completely recovered from a tough injury that kept him from playing during three months. That's good news for Guardiola, who is focused in using his best men to beat Real Madrid.

Josep Guardiola is taking the whole squad to Madrid, even those players that cannot be in this match: Mascherano, Abidal and Bojan.

Guadiola happy with result against Arsenal, thinks now in Athletic

Pep Guardiola claims that the match against Athletic Club is the most important right now: "It's our obligation to focus on the next match, that's what we always intend to do, now more than ever. Some people loves to see the game that comes in one month, or the last one that we won. I want to avoid that.

With these words, Guardiola tries to have the press anda fans talk about the next game and not about the derby against Real Madrid.

Asked about the rough game that Athletic usually plays, he said that "the referee should be working on that. If there is too much contact, that's because we are not fast enough."

Guardiola also praised his team after the tie with Arsenal in the Champions League. Even though they could not achieve a victory, Pep is aware that they faced a really strong squad, and a 2-2 as a visitor is a great result.

Superb Barcelona beat Real Madrid with Ibrahimovic's goal

The two most powerful and millionaire teams in Europe took part of the Spanish derby. Barcelona, with Messi, Henry and Xavi among others, defeated Cristiano Ronaldo's Real Madrid with a single goal scored by Ibrahimovic.

With Pellegrini's side going into the match one point ahead of Barcelona at the top of the Spanihs League, it was a key clash in this seasons title race.

It was first half full of chances for both teams, but Zlatan was not on the field. In the second part, the swedish forward replaced Thierry Henry, and some minutes later he would score the blessing 1-0.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic "Ibra" scored the winner and was more than delighted: "It's a very happy moment now because it was my first derby and I scored the goal that won the game. It was an amazing, so I'm really happy."

Pep Guardiola was elated with the performance of his team too: "we showed great character to play the last half an hour with 10 players. Four points would have been a big difference and so it was crucial that we won the 'clasico' to move a point clear of them again. Of course we are happy becasue we have won this match. But whether we can go on and win the title is another question. Usually, the most difficult encounters against Real Madrid are the ones such as this one when we are the clear favourites. It was a real test for us and we came through it."

Real Madrid was bigger that Barcelona at the Nou Camp

Julio Baptista netted an important goal and gave Real Madrid a 1-0 triumph over Barcelona on Sunday and a seven-point edge at midseason in the Spanish La Liga.

Real Madrid (13-2-2) won for just the third time in 24 years at the Nou Camp stadium, taking a big step toward repeating as league champions in the process.

Even though both teams created plenty of chances, it was Baptista's perfect half- volley that was the difference. Following a beautiful give-and-go with Ruud van Nistelrooy, Baptista one-timed a shot into the upper-right corner in the 36th minute.

In fact, Julio Baptista and Van Nistelrooy - whose eight goals is tied with Raul for the team lead - worked the give-and-go with consecutive one-touch passes.

Van Nistrelrooy's return pass got Baptista just enough space to unleash a shot that Barcelona keeper Valdes had no chance to save.

Barcelona (10-3-2), which was without leading scorer Leo Messi, never answered but had a few solid chances. Blaugrana striker Samuel Eto'o had his best chance in the first half, but was denied on a one-on-one chance against Real Madrid's Iker Casillas.

Barca's Ronaldinho Gaucho also had a great chance in the first, but his shot directed inside the right post was saved by Casillas, who finished with six saves.

Young substitute Bojan Krkic was denied by Casillas in the 83rd, and Yaya Toure shot wide off the ensuing corner for Barcelona.

Samuel Eto'o had another chance in the closing minutes, but Real Madrid defender Pepe deflected the shot wide.

It's important to say that Barcelona holds a slim one-point edge on Espanyol, and Villarreal (two points back) and Atletico Madrid (three points back) are also on its heels.