Barcelona players are reminding themselves to stifle their joy for another day despite easing into the Champions League final against Juventus.
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The Catalan club overcame former boss Pep Guardiola and his Bayern Munich side more comfortably than the 5-3 aggregate scoreline suggests, with two second half goals from the German team securing a 3-2 second leg victory, which did not reflect Barca’s dominance over the two legs.
After Lionel Messi did the damage in the first leg, this week’s hero was Neymar after the Brazilian star scored twice in the opening period to extinguish any lingering Bayern hopes of mounting a comeback.
The flamboyant winger, who has now scored in his last seven appearances, was delighted to play a key role in his team’s triumph, saying: “I’m very happy with the goals and to be in the final. It’s great and we hosted a small party in the dressing room.”
A warning to avoid premature euphoria was sounded, however, by Gerard Pique, who was eager to remind his teammates that they have won nothing yet despite being well placed for a league, cup and European treble.
“We know that everything can change in a moment,” he cautioned. “We have done everything right and we are in a good position, but the titles still have to be finished off. Everything looks very good at the moment, but it also needs to end well.”
But the Spain international is confident that the right attitude to ensure success is running through the club, adding: “Everyone – the team, the fans, the coaches and the directors – we are all very excited.”
Pique declined the opportunity to hit back at the critics who had written off his team’s chances earlier in the season. Barca were surrounded by fierce condemnation midway through the season after an unconvincing opening few months of the campaign, but they have responded in the best possible way with a spectacular run of form since early January.
And their early season critics have significantly changed their tune, with many observers now speculating that the current team may prove to be even better than the multiple title-winners led by Guardiola a few years ago.
Pique adopted a philosophical attitude, however, shrugging: “We know how football works. It is all about results.
“When the results are good, everyone is with you. But when the results are bad, people fall off the bandwagon.”
Remember, Allegri pulled off several good performances against Barcelona with Milan in the Champions League
— Matteo Bonetti (@TheCalcioGuy) May 13, 2015
Andres Iniesta echoed Pique’s sentiments as he urged his teammates to keep focussed as they attempt to clinch three titles in the coming weeks.
If the threatened La Liga strike is lifted, Barca will face Atletico Madrid on Sunday evening with a chance to clinch the title.
Then comes a week of cup finals with Barca facing Athletic Bilbao at the Nou Camp in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday 30 May, followed by the Champions League final in Berlin seven days later.
And Iniesta pledged: “We will try to finish what we started. But we can’t stop now.”
