Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola claimed that failure to secure the Primera title over the weekend could be a blessing in disguise.

Sunday's 3-3 draw with Villarreal at the Camp Nou forced the Catalan's to postpone their celebrations for at least another week.

In addition they lost Eric Abidal to a red card, and worse still Andres Iniesta to injury which could sideline the influential midfielder for the Champions League final in just over two weeks time.

Guardiola, however, agreed with president Joan Laporta, who saw a silver lining in not bagging the league crown on Sunday night.

"I understand what he meant because winning La Liga today could have caused the players to lose focus amidst all the celebrations and make it more difficult to prepare for the final," he explained.

Guardiola did feel that fatigue could have been the reason behind conceding a 92nd minute equaliser to Joseba Llorente, despite Barca leading 3-1 at one stage.

"To play with ten men against a Champions League team forces you to double your efforts, especially in midfield.

We didn't have enough gas but the injury [to Iniesta] is even worse news than not having become league champions."

Along with Abidal and Iniesta, the Blaugrana will also have to make do without Rafa Marquez and Thierry Henry for the cup final at the Mestalla against Bilbao.