After a hard earned away victory of 2-0 against Osasuna, Barcelona has closed the gap of points with Atletico de Madrid, pending the result of the Madrid Derby. After the game, Ronald Koeman, Ilaix Moriba and Óscar Mingueza spoke with the press.
This is what the Dutch manager had to say:
On the match
“A difficult game, we have lacked something in terms of football, but we have worked and put a lot of energy into it. The fatigue of the Sevilla game has been noticed. It was a serious game. Two beautiful goals and we took three points.”
Regarding their good form in LaLiga
“We lost points where it wasn’t acceptable at the beginning of the season, but the team has had a very good reaction.”
On their possibilities of winning the league
“We have gone fifteen games without losing in LaLiga and are gaining points to Atlético de Madrid. It is clear that there is a possibility of winning the league until the end of the season.”
Regarding the new star Ilaix Moriba
“Ilaix is growing. Everyone has the right to make mistakes in a game, especially the young. These mistakes he made at the beginning are for learning. He is gaining ground, when he enters he always gives something extra to the team and that is very important. With the ball he is good, physically he is strong and he will be more with the first team.”
On the young players breaking through
“It is not because people want it, but because they are asking for a way. I have always given them opportunities because they are the future of the club.”
Regarding the Derby of Madrid
“I’m not going to be home all day. I’m interested in the final result of the derby. But the most important thing was our victory. Any result is good for us.”
On the elections
“We have not had a president for a long time, so it is important that the president enters. The members have to vote and decide, we are not going to influence.”
Ilaix Moriba has taken the first team by storm and managed to score his first goal, an absolute stunner, with the team. This is what the youngster had to say:
On his first goal
“For now I was having a hard time getting there, but I like to score. Thank God, Leo has given me an assist, and I don’t even know how I made the first cutout, then I shot with the left and goal. I need a little time to take it all in.”
Regarding the advise Messi has given him
“Leo Messi from the first game told me to shoot and shoot from the outside, and that’s what I have done, he has given it to me and I took the shot.”
On their aspirations regarding LaLiga
“We have never thought that LaLiga is finished, it is difficult but we are going to fight it. It is our DNA. Never give a game for lost.”
On who he thought after scoring
“I want to dedicate the goal to my parents and my whole family, at La Masia they have educated us very well.”
Regarding how the young players have been growing under Koeman
“The good thing is that there is a lot of competition and it shows in training. We are young and we have to learn from the veteran players.”
Finally, Óscar Mingueza has also gained a very important role in the defense and also spoke with the press after the match:
On how the team is working
“The team has a very good run, they are giving me minutes and I try to take advantage of them and do the best for the group. We are in a very good dynamic.”
Regarding the match
“We already knew it was a final, all the remaining games are finals, but it was very important, after the Cup match and overtime, to get a victory to be close to the leader. A good victory, really.”
On Ilaix Moriba’s goal
“I am very happy for him, he is playing very well and gives us a lot, he is also training very well.”
On his sister, Ari, debut with the women team
“I am very happy for her, she deserves it, after so many games with the ‘B’ and training with the first team, I am very happy for her and she deserves it for her effort, it is a joy for me to see her with the first team, but I couldn’t watch the game because I was taking a nap.”
