Josep Guardiola: Cup Result Was Not Great

Josep Guardiola admitted that he was not happy about Barcelona's first leg result against Espanyol in their Copa del Rey quarter final meeting on Wednesday evening, but is looking forward to the second game.

The Blaugrana coach was frustrated that his side was unable to find their rhythm against a resurgent Blanc i Blau and were forced to settle for a goalless draw.

It was the first time that Barça had failed to win away since the opening day of the season and ended a run of eight consecutive wins on their travels, as well as being the first time that they had not scored for 28 matches.

“It was a complicated game against an intense side who were strong and I think we played well,” Guardiola told reporters. “Now we will see what happens next week in Camp Nou.

“It is not a bad result, but is also not great. In the cup it is good to score away from home and we have not done that. We are now obliged to be attentive in the second leg.

"One of the main reasons that his team did not score was that we have not managed to find a way through or to connect in midfield.

“When you are forced to play at the back you have to play long balls and then things become more a question of chance.

"There were a lot of interruptions that did not help us and meant that we could not find our rhythm of play.”

Lucas Brown, Goal.com