Barcelona vs Malaga preview - Pep set for emotional farewell

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 by PA

It promises to be an emotional night at the Nou Camp as Barcelona fans prepare to thank Pep Guardiola for his achievements while in charge of the club.

Barca will play their first home game since the coach confirmed his intention to step down at the end of the season.

Guardiola, who has won 13 trophies in four years in charge at the Nou Camp, has decided not to renew his contract when it expires on June 30. He will be succeeded by his assistant Tito Vilanova.

Tomorrow night is likely to see arch-rivals Real Madrid replace them as champions, but that will be blotted out of Barca minds on the night as Guardiola waves farewell to the faithful.

Goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto, who replaced Victor Valdes in goal for the 7-0 thrashing of Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, said the players accept Guardiola's decision to walk away.

"I completely understand what Guardiola has done," Pinto said.

"He takes everything very seriously and that takes a big toll mentally. You can't compare them, but Tito has the character and strength, as well as our full backing."

Guardiola forged a Barca side many regarded as the best club team in football history, and while his absence will be keenly felt, Pinto believes Vilanova will continue with the same style.

"I don't think much will change because the two of them share the same vision. We are all relaxed about it and we are right behind Tito and his way of looking at football."

While Barca's second place looks nailed on regardless of results in the final matches of the season, they face a Malaga side battling Valencia for third and desperate to hang on to at least fourth and a Champions League berth.

They beat Valencia 1-0 on Sunday to move level on points with the third-placed side and three points above fifth-placed Levante, in the process arresting a run that had seen them take only two points from three matches.

The fixture list makes for a tough run-in, however, as Malaga travel to Barca and then sixth-placed Atletico Madrid before finishing at home against relegation-battling Sporting Gijon.

"Our rivals will be there till the end," said Malaga midfielder Santi Cazorla.

"Levante is playing well, and we need to play a good game against Atletico.

"With regards to injuries, it's always hard to lose good players, but the team has overcome these problems throughout the season, which has been a key factor in our continued fight to qualify for the Champions League.

"The fans were great in our match against Valencia. They knew how important the match was for us to get to the Champions League, and they really got behind us and supported us from the start."