Guardiola admits Pinto luck
Posted Thursday, February 02, 2012 by ESPN
Barcelona supremo Pep Guardiola conceded that goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto's dismissal would have altered the landscape of their eventual 1-1 stalemate with Valencia in the Copa del Rey.
36-year-old Pinto sparked furious protests from the Valencia players in the 18th minute of their first-leg semi final encounter after he clearly handled the box outside his penalty box as he attempted to fend off forward Roberto Soldado.
"I have been told he handed the ball outside the area," Guardiola commented after the tie at the Mestalla.
"If you have 10 men, of course it changes the match."
Valencia schemer Jonas drew first blood for Unai Emery's charges in the 27th minute but Barca responded quickly thanks to a towering header from skipper Carlos Puyol in the 35th minute.
Argentine wizard Lionel Messi then contrived to have his penalty saved in the 56th minute.
"It is better to go to Camp Nou with this result because it forces us to win the match," Guardiola explained.
"When you have a 2-1 lead like we did against Real Madrid, it seems like you have won the tie."
"We are counting on the support of our fans to reach the final. What we always try is to go for the victory."
The Barca chief also played down Xavi's omission from the team, adding that the central midfielder "needed to rest."
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