Pep Guardiola sends Champions League warning message to Barcelona

Former Barcelona head coach Pep Guardiola has this week sent a strong piece of advice the way of his former employers at the Spotify Camp Nou.

This comes in the form of a plea not to blow up their entire project, in the case of not triumphing in Europe over the seasons ahead.

Barcelona are of course fresh off another dominant campaign on the domestic front in 2025/26, giving rise to a 2nd successive La Liga title, as well as the Spanish Super Cup.

On the continent, however, the Blaugrana again came up short.

Billed as heavy favourites heading into the tie, Hansi Flick’s troops were sent packing from the Champions League by Atlético Madrid at the quarter-final stage.

Speaking during an exchange with the media this week, the aforementioned Pep Guardiola was therefore drawn on Barcelona’s recent shortcomings in Europe.

And the iconic tactician made use of the opportunity to send some advice the way of Joan Laporta and co:

“What is Barça missing to win the Champions League? The Champions League is a competition that destroys projects, and I hope that’s not the case at Barça.

“We must not think that just because you don’t win it, everything that has been built is no good. The league is the competition that gives you consistency and continuity. In the Champions League, you need to reach the decisive stages in good condition, without injuries, and refereeing also has a huge impact.

“What matters is that the daily work is excellent, that the team keeps growing and improving, and that they don’t believe the season is a failure just because they don’t reach the Champions League final or win it. The league is what sets the foundation for judging whether a season has been good or not.”

Pep Guardiola sends Champions League warning

Conor Laird – GSFN