Spanish title win fails to appease demanding Guardiola

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola saluted his players for retaining the La Liga title, but admitted he felt his team should also be in Saturday's Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Barcelona crushed Valladolid 4-0 on Sunday at Camp Nou to lift their fourth league title in six seasons and celebrate their title triumph with their jubilant fans.

Barcelona followed up last season's historic treble with four trophies with the league, the Spanish and European Super Cups and World Club Championship but Guardiola felt the absence of the Champions League left a bitter taste.

"This is a day for great celebration and after winning three titles last season we have won four more," said Guardiola.

"It was a really tough season and small details stopped us getting through to the Champions League final in Madrid. We owe the fans. We had to be in the final on Saturday but we aren't and we will try to win it next season."

Holders Barcelona were eliminated 3-2 over two legs by Inter Milan at the Champions League semi-final stage to miss out on a dream final at the Santiago Bernabeu, the home of bitter rivals Real Madrid.

"As the coach said we owe you (the fans) one and we hope to celebrate a Champions League win again in Wembley (the venue for the 2011 final) next season," said midfielder Xavi. Guardiola praised the fans for picking the team up after that setback as they went on to notch a league record 99 points to finish three points ahead of Real Madrid in the league title race.

"I would like to thank the fans for how they helped us after we lost that tie," added Guardiola. MADRID, (AFP)