Barcelona: Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola sarcastically responded to Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho's recent comments, thanking him for his faith in the Catalan club, but has stressed that anything can happen in their Champions League semi-final against Chelsea.
Mourinho stated recently that Barca are a certainty for the final in Munich on May 19, suggesting that UEFA will aid the Catalans, but Guardiola refused to be drawn into a war of words.
"I can only thank Mourinho for his faith in Barcelona," stated Guardiola during a press conference. "We appreciate that he thinks we can make it to the final. However, all four teams can reach the final. Am I tired of these mind games? No, they are a part of the job."
Guardiola then looked ahead to the semi-final against Chelsea, and stressed that the Premier League side are still a force to be reckoned with.
"Chelsea are a very experienced team, and they have always been one of the top clubs in recent years. They have some fantastic players and are one of the biggest clubs in Europe. There are no easy opponents at this stage of the competition."
"It is a team with history in recent years in English football. Competing in the Champions League, they have always been there and have shown themselves capable. We will have to produce good performances to reach the final."
The first leg of the Champions League encounter takes place at Stamford Bridge on April 18.
Madrid set up a semi-final against Bayern Munich and asked why he had said that Barcelona would progress, Mourinho said: "Because they are very good. Barcelona aren't the favourites, they are super-favourites. Let me be honest, I don't think the final will be a Real Madrid-Chelsea final. It could be Bayern v Barcelona - I just don't think it will be Real Madrid v Chelsea and we know why."
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