|
Guus Hiddink tells moaning Barcelona: "It's a man's
game"
Guus Hiddink has rejected criticisms of Chelsea's
style in holding Barcelona to a goalless draw in the first leg of their
Champions League semi-final.
By Jeremy Wilson
| |
|
|
ON THE DEFENSIVE ... Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink
/ Photo: thesun.co.uk
|
Barcelona were unhappy with some of the physical challenges
from Chelsea's players but, ahead of their Premier League with Fulham
on Saturday, Hiddink defended tactics that have been criticised in Spain
for being overly negative.
"It was a man's match," said the Chelsea manager. "There
were some collisions, but from either side. It's a man's game. They were
controlling and dominating the game and I'd have liked to have had some
more initiatives, but they controlled it.
"I don't like to give in that easily. We were well organised and
played well, defensively. I'd like to have taken a little bit more of
the initiative, but they are a disciplined team as well.
"Under Pep Guardiola, they know how to defend firmly and their centre-back,
too, isn't afraid to make the game tough. On top of that, they can play.
"We would, of course, have liked to play more, but we were playing
the best team in their concept of football. We didn't want to play 'anti-football'.
This team has proved for several months, and at the beginning of the season,
that they can play football.
"But we were not able to start a good attacking game in Barcelona
- you can blame us for not starting well and they made it difficult. We
don't like to allow them to take the victory. This team has the character
to fight as well."
Chelsea winger Florent Malouda suggested Barcelona's players were guilty
of play-acting and went down too easily when challenged, but Hiddink defended
the Spanish side.
"I don't think there was a lot of acting," said Hiddink. "There
were some good fights, for instance between Daniel Alves and Flo Malouda.
"That's normal friction. I don't think there was a lot of theatre
from either side. There were some good duels but I didn't see many players
rolling around. I don't think it's as bad as was suggested just after
the game."
Hiddink may rest some key players against Fulham, but is wary of the challenge
they will pose on Saturday following their resurgence under Roy Hodgson.
"There might be one or two changes," said Hiddink. "Regarding
that, it's not that we're going to decrease the quality of the players
coming in.
"We have players on the bench with the quality to perform well. Maybe
one or two will start tomorrow. We take this game very seriously.
"Roy Hodgson is doing a tremendous job at Fulham. He's one of the
older managers, like me, who knows that the job is difficult.
"I respect the job he's doing. He's a man with a lot of experience
and dignity. They've proved what can be achieved with a small squad for
a prolonged period."
Telegraph.co.uk,
01 May 2009
|
|
