Pep plays down Barca’s Clasico win

BARCELONA coach Pep Guardiola resisted the temptation to bask in Saturday’s electrifying 3-1 Clasico victory over Real Madrid after arriving in Japan for the Club World Cup.

The European champions overcame Real at the Bernabeu at the weekend to leapfrog their bitter rivals to top La Liga, albeit having played a game more.

But Guardiola insisted Barca were already focusing on a different threat in the Far East — winning their second Club World Cup in two years.

“Real Madrid were the team of the 20th century and it is true, we have enjoyed some success over them recently,” Guardiola said.

“But there’s hardly any difference between the two teams. Real Madrid are a great team, we know that,” he added after his eighth win in 12 ‘Clasicos’ since taking over in 2008.

“We have to get the players ready for this tournament. We are here to win the Club World Cup. I want the players to relax and get over their fatigue properly.”

Barca arrived in Japan late on Sunday, having jetted out of Spain immediately after their clash with Real.

“We will do a little sightseeing in Tokyo, have some traditional Japanese food in the city to adjust from the tough trip and be ready to do the job,” said Guardiola.

“Lionel (Messi) and everyone are fit but we will look at team selection after studying our opponents and after looking at the players in training.”