Guardiola keeps cool as Barcelona win despite red cards for Pique and Marquez

Leo Messi: opened the scoring / Fotosports.com

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT / Sports Features Communications

MADRID: Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola refused to fuel the Spanish football debate over refereeing standards despite having seen two players sent off in the 2-1 win over Getafe which kept them five points clear of second-placed Real Madrid.

The Spanish champions had Gerard Pique sent off for a cynical lunge on Rafa Lopez after 24 minutes and Rafael Marquez dimissed in second-half stoppage time for a foul on Kepa Blanco.

Guardiola said: “I have too many things on my mind to worry about referees. I don't care if they leave us with 10, nine or eight players ... or if they blow for three penalties against us, we will have to score four. What happens on the pitch is our responsibility.”

Inbetween the red cards Leo Messi put Barcelona ahead with a flash of typical individual brilliance in the first half and a second-half strike from playmaker Xavi. Getafe responded too late, in stoppage time, through a Roberto Soldado penalty.

Real Madrid maintained the pursuit, in the continuing absence of suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, by seeing off Espanyol 3-0.

First-half goals from Sergio Ramos and Kaka were the least Madrid’s dominance deserved and substitute Gonzalo Higuain added a brilliant third to confirm Madrid’s 11th win in 11 games at the Estadio Bernabeu.

Keywords · Spanish football · futbol · La Liga · Barcelona · Guardiola · Pique · Marquez · Real Madrid

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