体坛英语新闻：Guardiola wary of Real Madrid threat

MADRID, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola this Tuesday gave a huge vote of confidence to reserve goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto ahead of the first leg of his side's Copa del Rey quarter-final against eternal rival Real Madrid on Wednesday night.

Although Pinto is the usual substitute to Victor Valdes in the Spanish BBVA Primera Liga, he has been first choice for Barca in the Cup. However, the fact that he was in goal for the only defeat Guardiola has suffered against Madrid, in last season's Cup final, has raised some doubts over whether or not he should play on Wednesday.

Guardiola, however, showed total loyalty to his player: "I have it in mind that Pinto should play. He is an excellent keeper and I would be betraying myself if I didn't play him and I would also betray him. I doubt that anyone who knows him doubts him, we don't and anyone who has seen him play in the last three years won't doubt him either," said Guardiola in his pre-game press conference.

Guardiola ruled out a defensive attitude from his side, who have already won 3-1 away to Madrid this season.

"I have always thought that going to the Bernabeu and being prudent means going to see what happens and that means the games seem to last forever and Madrid always score a goal. The only way to win this tie is to have the ball and to be well positioned to stop them playing on the break."

"If we play and hope to get to the return leg, the defeat could be a scandal. Madrid are leaders in the league and took every possible point in the Champions League. They are always dangerous and I have always thought they were dangerous."

"Tomorrow (Wednesday) is another day and 90,000 fans will be cheering on Madrid. We have to start again and that is what is great about football," said Guardiola.