No complacency insists, Barca’s Toure

BARCELONA midfielder Yaya Toure insists the Catalan giants did not underestimate Rubin Kazan on Tuesday.

The Russian champions sprung the biggest surprise of the season so far as they ground out a 2-1 victory at Camp Nou. Barcelona, the reigning European champions, had entered the game unbeaten in all competitions this term.

Few expected them to be humbled on home soil against a side making their Champions League bow, but the Catalan giants were second best for much of their midweek showdown.

Toure, who played in Eastern Europe during his time with Metalurh Donetsk, admits the result came as something of a shock, but claims everyone connected with Barca knew what to expect from the game.

“Before the match we knew that they were a good team,’’ he said.

“I played in Russia and I know they play good football there. So were we surprised? No.

“I think football has progressed all over the world, there are no more small teams, especially in the Champions League.

“Sometimes, though, results like this can shape your season so let’s forget about it and move on.’’

To add to Barca’s woes they will be without star defender Dani Alves for up to a month after he injured his thigh against the Russians.

The Brazilian right-back pulled up deep into injury-time in their shock UEFA Champions League defeat on Tuesday.

Tests have shown the former Sevilla ace has ruptured a muscle in his right thigh, meaning he could miss up to six matches.

“This is bad news,’’ Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola said. “Dani is a man, not a machine. Now we must ensure he gets the best possible treatment because he’s a key player.’’

Guardiola remained philosophical when quizzed about his side’s surprise European defeat.

Barca top Group F, but only just and Guardiola insists despite the statistics, football sometimes cannot be explained. “Football is like that,’’ he said. “With the statistics that we had, in any other sport we would have won, but not in football.

“I honestly think that we had a good game, but results do not always show that.

“We’ve had a good game, but we’ve lost, and you cannot do anything about that. It’s disappointing because we could have taken an important step towards the last 16.’’

Barca midfielder Xavi put the result down to bad luck as his team-mates dominated possession and had 13 shots on target while also hitting the woodwork twice.

“It was just absolutely rotten luck and the way the match went we did not deserve to lose,’’ said Xavi.

“Rubin had two attacks and nothing more and have taken away a prize they did not deserve.

“We played well but it makes it hard when your opponents only come to defend.’’