Barcelona had to move on from Guardiola, says Fabregas

The midfielder believes his former boss created the
best club side in the history of the game, but has
welcomed their change in style

Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas has hailed Pep
Guardiola as a "visionary" coach but says the time
was right to employ new methods under new boss
Gerardo Martino.

The Blaugrana have sought to vary the 'tiki-taka'
approach preferred by Guardiola during his four
years in charge at Camp Nou this season, but
suffered their first defeat of the campaign against
Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday.

That loss - which came despite the fact the
Amsterdam giants were down to 10 men for a
large portion of the game - has led some to
question whether Martino has been correct in
tweaking a system that has reaped great success
in recent times - though Fabregas is convinced the
Argentine knows exactly what he is doing.

He told reporters at a press conference: "Guardiola
was a visionary, that Barca was the best team in
history, but now we might need to change some
things, find alternatives.

"We've had a team chat with the coach. There's
always self-criticism, but this was the season's
first defeat and we have to react.

"We have to move the ball faster, show more
motivation, attack with the ball and be intense,
both in defence and attack."

The 26-year-old has often operated as a striker
since moving back to the club from Arsenal in the
summer of 2011 and despite acknowledging his
favoured, deeper role, he remains happy to fill in
wherever necessary.

Fabregas continued: "My position is in midfield,
two years ago I hadn't yet played as striker, but if I
have to play there, I do the best I can."

Barcelona will hope to return to winning ways
when they travel to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. The
Catalans remain three points clear of Atletico
Madrid at the top of La Liga and are yet to be
defeat in the league this term.