Pep Guardiola has hit out against Barcelona's critics in a tense press conference ahead of tomorrow's do-or-die Champions League clash with Chelsea.

The Catalans head into the semi-final second leg on the back of successive defeats, losing 1-0 to the Blues in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge and then suffering a home defeat to arch rivals Real Madrid on Saturday.

Shaven-headed Guardiola struck a frustrated figure during tonight's press conference at the Nou Camp, where his selection and tactics were questioned.

The Barca manager took particular exception to a Spanish journalist probing him on his decision to start Cristian Tello against Madrid.

Guardiola responded with a long rant as he defended his selection decisions, saying: "He played a f****** good game. I mean most of the dangerous chances were created by him."

The Spaniard was curt in some answers and rambling in others during a lengthy press conference, which he brought to an abrupt end by walking out.

Guardiola, though, earlier insisted he was not feeling the pressure due to the trust he had in his players to perform.

"I don't know if this is the most important moment of my career as a coach, but I have always faced these challenges with a lot of optimism as I believe in my players and team," he said.

"Whenever you have a defeat, the day after the match you feel a little low but afterwards you get faith in the facts and I am optimistic because I know them well and that we will work hard.

"We try to cover everything that is important so we just try and do that.

"We will analyse the challenge and I think we have had other challenges over the years.

"I cannot really tell you if this is the most important challenge of my life."

Barcelona's chance of overhauling the 1-0 deficit against Chelsea has been boosted by Lionel Messi's fitness.

The reigning world player of the year missed training yesterday but returned today in an open media session at the Nou Camp.

Gerard Pique also trained and Guardiola batted away talk of a rift with the Spain international, who has been left out of the past two matches.

"Well, Leo had a gastric issue," Guardiola said. "The doctor saw him and he called us before the training session.

"He didn't go to it as he didn't feel well but now he is ok.

"As for Gerard, there is no problem at all. He has had an injury for a long time.

"I have many players and can choose Javier Mascherano and Carles Puyol, who are a good combination in central defence.

"We wanted to have the right players to face [Karim] Benzema, [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Angel] Di Maria and that is why I decided to play with the players I have chosen so far.

"I do appreciate Gerard because of his approach to life and because how he loves football.

"The rest is just my decision, the fact he plays or not."

Barcelona have won three of the two clubs' four two-legged contests in the Champions League knockout phases.

The last time Chelsea came to Barca defending a lead was in 2000, where Guardiola and Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo were on opposing sides as players.

Barca triumphed that time after extra time and the former is expecting a similarly tough encounter tomorrow.

"I don't remember so much but I do remember it was a similar game to what we are going to play tomorrow," Guardiola said.

"It was a very physical game, very defensive as they try to defend a good result for them and try to find a way to create the chances.

"When we lose control of the ball, they use the counter-attack because it is one of the big, big points for Chelsea."

"As for Gerard, there is no problem at all. He has had an injury for a long time".

"We wanted to have the right players to face [Karim] Benzema, [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Angel] Di Maria and that is why I decided to play with the players I have chosen so far.

"I do appreciate Gerard because of his approach to life and because how he loves football.

"The rest is just my decision, the fact he plays or not."

The Franchise wrote:I enjoyed the quotes.

Someone should stand up for Tello, because even Barca fans are talking some nonesense about what is, basically a B team player.

Amar wrote:oo Pep snapped. You dun want a angry Pep in the CL.




A day later, he knocked out Madrid

Leo had a gastric issue," Guardiola said. "The doctor saw him and he called us before the training session

dnmac4 wrote:The only thing strange here I can see is how obvious it is that the OP "Barrettinator" has to be the most butt hurt individual on the forums. Did Barca tear your butt so wide open at some point that you have now become totally consumed by our club and can barely sit down?

Let me show you and the rest of the forum the number of 'Bacelona related threads" you have started in the last 2-3 days.

"For the sake of football, Barcelona must beat Chelsea, blasts Van der Sar"

"Guardiola drops F-bomb; storms out of press conference"

"Which state of Barca are Chelsea going to meet?"

"Barcelona strengthen ties with UEFA"

"Collina: Ronaldinho's strike at Stamford Bridge impressed me the most"

"Who will tarnish his reputation the most during the upcoming clasico?"

"Dani Alves had bust up with fan before the match"
Being a c*nt as usual

"Juan Mata talks about Semi-final clash with Barca"

"Dani Dives: "Chelsea lost in 2009 because of fear""

You have lost all credibility when talking about Barcelona so why do you bother to keep bringing us up over and over and over again? Are we all you think about all day?

I mean I haven't even seen a Barca or Madrid fan start a 1/4 of this many threads in the last 2-3 days about our own club#

It's funny because you have lost any sense of objectivity and now you follow us more then your supposed favorite club Chelsea and it seems we are all you care to talk about#

This is what us Barca fans talk about when people on here say, "please stop with all the Barca threads" or "why does every thread have to be about Barca and Madrid?"

Well here's some more proof it's not us who do it it's insecure obsessive posters like this one who feel the need to create 9 threads about Barca in a couple days. I haven't made 9 threads in like a month and I'm on here a good amount and actually follow Barca as my favorite club.

I mean Mods, can we make this insane individual his own section? The forum has said time and again they don't want the general section flooded with Barca threads and by my count this poor soul is the main culprit when he's not even a fan of our club. I mean 9 threads in a couple days is foaming at the mouth stuff.

Please, to the OP go seek some help or get a life or get laid or something# Anything to take your mind off of FC Barcelona.

Lex wrote:

Leo had a gastric issue," Guardiola said. "The doctor saw him and he called us before the training session

....and said 'he needs to take two of these daily:



He must come see me again first thing Wednesday morning'"

donttreadonred wrote:
I see your "prescription" and raise you...


Everyone, bear witness to the "Luther Vandross Burger."

Chelsea plays the Luther Vandross.

Messi Fainted... It was super effective.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:Dnmac confusing Barettinator with BarrileteCosmico rofl. I suppose we both start with Bar