Pep Guardiola has rubbished the idea that the “intensity” of the Premier League makes it more challenging than other European leagues.
The Catalan was being quizzed after his side’s 1-1 draw with Everton on Saturday, a result that played out simultaneously with Barcelona’s 4-0 mauling of Deportivo La Coruña.
Such an easy win allowed Barca to take off Luis Suarez at half-time, ensuring he’ll be well rested for the visit of City on Wednesday in the Champions League.
And when asked if it annoyed him that the Spanish champions had enjoyed a more straightforward weekend, Pep Guardiola was keen to set the record straight when it comes to nonsense about the Premier League being more intense than its continental equivalents.
“I hear a lot of times about the intensity of the Premier League when none of you have been in La Liga or the Bundesliga to know how it is,” he said.
“The problem here is maybe that there are more games but the way that they play in Germany is… [whistles]… it’s amazing.
“I think you have to have respect for the other leagues, how they play and the way they play.
“Of course Barcelona is special in how they play, a machine. Three amazing players in front, good counter-attack, the way they build-up so when they win 4-0 it’s because they deserve to win 4-0.
“I think every league has its points but especially it’s the quality of the players and that’s the reason why. In Spain in the last seven, eight, nine years they’re winning or in the final of all the European competitions because they play well because they have good players. That is the reason why.
“Here there are more games to play… but the intensity in Italy, in all of these places, is the same.”
It was the perfect retort to those who continue to promote the Premier League as the world’s best while deriding La Liga as uncompetitive.
While Barcelona triumphed 4-0 over Deportivo La Coruña this time, their last two games against them at the Nou Camp have been draws and the Catalan side have already lost at home to a newly-promoted club this season.
La Liga’s title race also ended with three teams separated by a point last year at the same time as the ‘more competitive’ Premier League had champions Leicester finishing ten points clear.
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