Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said it is normal for Real Madrid to be pleased with their display in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey Clasico.
After a 2-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid looked a much more lively side in the second leg and were just one goal away from progressing after a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou.
“Madrid had a very good match and this always leaves a good taste in your mouth,” Guardiola told a press conference.
“We focus on the good things we did and the fact that we are in the semi-finals. We did some good things, some not-so-good things, but we knew that in those 180 minutes, Madrid would have their moment, would play their game and create chances to score.”
“With a rival like this, you always suffer.”
The mid-week draw has left its toll on the squad, as Andres Iniesta and Alexis Sanchez have both picked up injuries which will rule them out for at least two weeks.
“We have almost not had any time to rest, but we are used to it,” Guardiola said.
“We know what we must do. The second round of matches will start, we have 19 matches left and we cannot drop any more points.”
“We count on the players from the youth squad but cannot demand too much from them. They must be themselves and dare to do things, because this is the way to triumph.”
Barca visit 17th-placed Villarreal on Saturday in their La Liga match.
