Guardiola: Barca taught a lesson

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola admitted his side had been taught a lesson in their 2-1 defeat to Real Sociedad.

Despite taking the lead through Thiago Alcantara, the defending champions looked jaded from their midweek European exhaustions - and were duly punished by Sociedad - the visitors hitting back with goal from Diego Irfan and Xabi Prieto.
The defeat was Barca's first at the Nou Camp this season.
Speaking after the game, Guardiola told the gathered media: "It is an important lesson that we were taught today [Saturday]. We have to play with our heads. We need four points and we must find where we can get them.
"We are a team capable of winning or losing. We have come from a difficult situation with many players out. We competed well in the second half but we lacked sustained spells of possession. We did not have control of the ball."
Before they resume their quest for a third successive title next weekend, the Catalans have to meet Real Madrid in the second-leg of the Champions League semi-final - a tie in which they hold a commanding 2-0 lead from the first-leg at the Bernabeu.
"It is the semi-final of the Champions League. It is always better to be winning but we will analyse this defeat. We must now prepare for Tuesday's game," said Guardiola.
"We have a good advantage in this semi-final but we need to ensure that our players recover. It will be a hard game in every way and should we overcome these difficulties, we will have more options when we reach the final."