“We discussed a little of what they did and what happened but then Madrid can play in many different ways, and we just have to be prepared. I’m not here to talk about what they did to us on Saturday, as it will not be a reference of their game, but what we have to do in the final. They know our game, and we can change some detail, but the essence of the concept does not change. We talked about what must be improved to generate more play and more chances. Five minutes [into the game] and we’ll know,” answered Guardiola on his preparation to counteract Mourinho’s ultra-defensive game-plan this afternoon ahead of the 107th edition of the Copa del Rey.

“To win we will try to play as we usually do. [For motivation] we don’t need any other reason other than to satisfy ourselves. All we are playing for is nothing more than a title. We just want to play… and I want to win by playing [football] no matter who the rival is. But in games like this, we must be bolder, more daring, and more ambitious.”

“As for it being the match of the year, no it’s not. Reaching the final is a gift in itself, and we will enjoy it. If we win we will be happy, and if we lose, we will congratulate Madrid and go home to prepare for the match against Osasuna.”

“If we win, it is because we want to win the Copa [no matter who the opponent], and not because it is Madrid.”

“It will not have stained the [club’s] legacy. The history is the history. Whether we win it this year, it will not change what Real Madrid has had achieved, and vice versa. There is just too much history between the two clubs to be judged on the outcome of one season.”

Told that Mourinho’s choice of game-plan is more suited for small teams, the coach disagreed, “That small team mentality that you say I would not dare say that of him. I’m not saying I think he will be playing like that again, only that we have to be prepared for it. He used it with Inter last year, and people will always tend to go with what works for them. But I will never say Madrid played like a small team. I will never judge a fellow coach who knows his players better. I will not allow myself to do it! Never! He has every right to play as he pleases, especially if it worked well against us, like on Saturday.”

Asked if he has any complaint about Pepe’s tough-tackling play, he just said, “The referee is in charge of [preventing] that. What we have to do is move the ball more rapidly before defenders can close in on us.”

Regarding Di Stefano’s critique of Mourinho’s tactics, he said he had not read but was told about it, and conveyed his gratitude to the Blancos legend for his praise of the Barcelona team who he called “the Lion”: “Di Stefano, Cruyff and Pele, being players who changed the world of football, their opinions are always welcomed. That doesn’t mean he supports Barca for he is always a Real Madrid legend.”

Informed of a report claiming Pique had a confrontation with Pepe in the tunnel after Saturday’s match, and whether he had talked with the player about this, Guardiola said it was nothing: “In the dressing room they told me there was a heated argument, and nothing more. He denied things that were reported, and between the newspaper and Gerard, I tend to believe Gerard. I will accept his version over the mass media.”

And Messi, for kicking the ball into the crowd on Saturday: “I have not spoken with him about that yet but his behaviour [that time] is beyond him. I know what kind of a person he is, and if people felt offended by it, I’m sorry.”

“As sportsmen, we are an example to others, and Madrid and Barca players are always exemplary.”

On his possible line-up tomorrow, and whether it would be better to play Valdes in goal, Guardiola disagreed and said, “Tomorrow, Pinto and 10 others will play. It would be disrespectful to him and the team if that is not so… and even if Valdes is to play it will still not guarantee us a win. Pinto is training well and is calm about it, and he is an important member in the team.”

And whether Puyol will also play, the coach said, “His knee injury has healed well. He is doing fine in that sense. What he had [the other day] was a muscular problem but he is training well, so he will be going with us to Valencia. Tomorrow we will decide if he plays but the injury to his knee, it is fine.”

On Iniesta’s charge, he replied, “Let us wait for the final decision. We presented our arguments that we could have substituted him but he continued and risked an expulsion [for a second yellow] and even if that happen he would still miss the next Shakhtar match [i.e. no difference].  And it is not like it is in the final minute of the match. He played for another thirty-five minutes.”

As he always does, Guardiola defended Villa who is currently experiencing barren spell: “There are so many other intangible things that are difficult to see. Details, that thanks to him, provided the team with so many good things.”

“The first year in Barca is never easy, more so after playing in the World cup but he copes well with his enthusiasm and generous disposition [on the pitch].”

Speaking about the pitch, he said he is not unduly worried: “It is up to the home team. In the Barnebeu, we will have to play on a pitch that suits them, just as we do it here. In Mestalla, it will be up to the Federation to decide. We will just have to adapt. Everyone has the right to do what they want, and as the Federation is impartial, they can choose what they want. Others can also complain about the short grass in Camp Nou but they have not. We choose to make it short because we want that ball to roll well, nothing else. Tomorrow we will go out on the pitch the way it is, and when Undiano Mallenco blows his whistle, we will play.”

Finally, he said he wished for a “festive atmosphere” to prevail at the Mestalla tomorrow “without any trouble”: “I imagine we will have a final that has everything we can expect when two big teams with excellent players meet.  Fans will be cheering their teams on and respecting each other.”

And he has an advice for Catalans attending the match: “While everyone needs to respect another’s opinions, I believe the national anthem deserve respect, just as his and her Majesties. I am not one to hiss if I don’t like a movie in the cinema. I just wish the fans come to watch a great spectacle, and it would hurt me if unpleasant incidents do happen in the crowd. It is just a football match where the best team wins… Period”