Guardiola: Barca morale solid

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola says Saturday's 3-1 win over Sporting Gijon without the help of star player Lionel Messi has boosted dressing room morale.

Messi was suspended for the game and Barca sealed the win with goals from Andres Iniesta, Seydou Keita and Xavi.

The win closed the gap on La Liga leaders Real Madrid to seven points, but it was not an easy victory as David Barral's 49th-minute equaliser came moments after Gerard Pique saw red for Barca.

In truth, a very defensive Gijon side were frustrating Barca before Iniesta opened the scoring just before half-time and it was only in the 79th minute after Keita had curled in a wonderful goal that the champions could relax.

Xavi added a third late on as Barca extended their unbeaten run at the Camp Nou to 49 games.

"We won a match against a very defensive side in a match that turned against us," Guardiola told the club's website.

"I'm happy with how the players reacted. They've done it again. The fans had a great time because we appealed to the epic [spirit] that this club can sometimes have."

Guardiola added that the club and the players had taken "a step forward" by being able to secure victory without having to rely on Messi, who was suspended for Saturday's game.

"It's very necessary to win games like this throughout the year," he said.
"The way this game was won reinforces our morale"

After the game, Guardiola praised Keita for his overall performance and for his goal 11 minutes from time which guided the Catalans past Gijon.

"He scored a golazo [amazing goal], he never plays poorly," Guardiola said.
"He does his best whenever I need him. He makes my job easier. I hope he can stay in this house as long as possible."

Meanwhile, the club have confirmed that Alexis Sanchez, who came on in the second half against Gijon, will be out of action for 10 to 15 days after suffering a small muscle tear in the adductor of his right leg.