Blaugrana coach calls for focus…

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has warned his side they now face the most important week of the campaign, insisting the next seven days will decide their season.

“This week will decide everything,” he told a press conference. “We will not worry about the rest because we depend on ourselves and cannot let our heads drop."

Barca host bottom club Xerez at Camp Nou this weekend in what should be a likely victory for the Blaugrana, but Guardiola isn’t taken anything for granted.

“They are unbeaten in three matches and are still battling,” he said. “We will have to take them very seriously. [Xerez coach Nestor] Gorosito has done a great job there.”

Barca host Inter on Wednesday night in the Champions League semi-final second leg and Guardiola called upon his players to put the Italians out of their minds until the full-time whistle on Saturday evening.

“We are prepared but that match will be difficult to block out. We have to try and to carry on. Great mental strength will be needed and we know that it will be hard work,” he concluded.