Ronald Koeman, Jordi Alba and former Barcelona player Dani Alves spoke to the press after Wednesday’s 1-0 win against Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League.
Yesterday FC Barcelona played one of the biggest matches of the season. A win would allow them to continue dreaming with moving on to the next phase of the UCL. However, in case that Dynamo came out on top, the Culés would have lived one of the biggest failures in recent history. Luckily for Ronald Koeman and his team, Gerard Piqué was able to deliver and big for all the Blaugranas.
This is what Koeman had to say:
On the match
“After half-time we created three very clear chances, but we can’t be so inaccurate. Luckily we have been perfect defensively and that they have not created danger. We were superior, but we must be more decisive. After an hour, you could have been up by 2-0 or 3-0. But we were not able to do so.”
Regarding the performance of the team
“I am happy with how the team played, but not with the lack of effectiveness. When we are so superior in a match and we create so many opportunities, we have to score. We have the quality to do so. If we didn’t have it, I would not ask for it. But we do. This is what we have been missing. The result should have been 3-0 or 4-0. And it has to be that way. The effectiveness has to improve.”
On Barça’s attack
“Ansu and Coutinho need to have better chemistry. We lacked depth and the match got complicated. We need to have more space between the forwards. They require freedom, but also have to be responsible. The objective was to win the game, and we have done it. There are things to improve. But we must also highlight the work off the ball that the team showed. Without the ball we have also improved and that is positive.”
Jordi Alba also spoke with the press, this is what he said:
His analysis of the match
“In the first half we had opportunities to score more than one goal, but we still have to be more accurate. But in the second half we weren’t good under pressure and we suffered. They did not create real opportunities but we leave with a bad feeling. In the first part I think we were very good. But we have to improve our performance of the second half.”
On Piqué’s goal
“Well yes, Gerard scores a lot of goals even though he is a defender. The truth is that today I have gifted him the goal. I told him to thank me.”
Regarding his physical discomfort
“I left my foot in the air and the ball hit me on the toe and let’s see what it is. I have something because it hurts.”
On el Clásico during the weekend
“This week was important for us and we won both matches. Losing today eliminated us from the Champions League. The fans responded well, they are helping us grow, and we are expecting a difficult match. It doesn’t matter how you arrive at el Clásico, but we hope to give joy to the fans and win.”
Finally, FC Barcelona legend, Dani Alves also spoke with the press after watching the match from the stands of the Camp Nou.
On being back at the Camp Nou
“It is a pleasure to return to this wonderful place after such a long time. To come back is to remember those wonderful times.”
Regarding el Clásico
“El Clásico is a match you can sense during the week. Hopefully they play a great game and bring more joy to the fans. Barça is in a process of acceptance, but Barça is always Barça, and they have to fight, knowing that we are in a transition process.”
On Sergiño Dest
“He’s a great player, but great players also have to understand how this place works. You have to get the hang of this house, because in this house the simplest is the most effective. Here they demand different things from the rest of the teams. That’s what Dest has to understand, but it’s a whole process. He’s going to climb because he has it all”
Regarding his possible return to Barcelona
“I miss this house too. Right now it’s time to encourage from the outside so that Barça is back on top, I’m sure they will be again, it’s their place.”
