Barça defeated Getafe 5-2 in the Camp Nou in Matchday 32 of LaLiga courtesy of a Messi brace, a Getafe own goal, and two late goals from Araújo and Griezmann. Ronald Koeman, Ronald Araújo, and Ilaix Moriba all spoke after the match.
Here is what Koeman had to say:
On his anger in the second half
“The second half we were less focused and we made a lot of mistakes. We lowered the rhythm of the ball and we complicated our lives with the 3-2. It is unnecessary. We can’t slow down. We have to learn.”
On Mingueza’s first half injury
“Yes. Mingueza was injured, he went off the field and he lasted too long on the sideline. He had to know if he could go on or not. Oscar told us that he could go on. You have to learn, both the doctors and the player. This can not happen.”
On the row in the second half with Mingueza
“My attitude with him is a bit exaggerated. He is having a great season. He must learn that being a player at Barça, you must always be in every game. Pedri has not been at his level today either. The change was not because I was angry, but because I wanted to give Umtiti minutes. But it is clear that neither Araújo nor Óscar have played well. Mingueza can not go so much to the band when we play with three. I have already spoken with him and everything is solved, no problem.”
On subbing off Piqué
“The change was planned because he was tired of playing the entire final.”
If the team feels like favourites for LaLiga
“We are not stronger than the other three teams. They are also in a good moment. We all have difficult games. It will not be decided until the last day.”
On Laporta’s statements about the Super League
“I already said that I am only a coach, not the person who decides the future of this club. The president seeks the best for the club.”
On Messi’s future
“The decision is in his hands. I’m not going to tell you if I’ve talked to him about his future. He knows we need him.”
On Busquets
“Playing with 3 centerbacks behind him has benefitted him a lot. He can now use his quality in building up plays and breaking the lines, primarily to find Leo. He’s an important player for the team with a lot of quality.”
On the team’s performance in the second half
“If we didn’t play like we should have in the second half, then it is my responsibility. The substitutions of Lenglet was because of his yellow card, and also because other players deserve to get minutes.”
Here is what Araújo had to say:
On his goal
“Messi told me to move into that zone because he’ll cross it close to the keeper and strong, and I had the height to help the team score the goal.”
On the penalty he conceded
“It was a thorn in my side that I conceded that penalty, I have to be more focused in these plays.”
On the Super League:
“It is not my responsibility to talk about this, the club has already released a statement. We are completely focused on our remaining 7 finals in LaLiga. We are doing well despite the loss in El Clasico and we’re only thinking of winning the remaining 7 games to win LaLiga.”
Here is what Moriba had to say:
On the win
“We know that all matches are complicated. We slowed down a bit in the second half but the 5-2 scoreline is not a coincidence.”
On the possibility of winning the double
“We depend on ourselves. We have to keep the mentality that we have had in the past months. We should keep what we did well in the first half and improve on what we didn’t do well in the second half.”
On his feelings on his current situation
“I am living a dream that I hope will never end. Barça has given me everything and the coaching staff trusts me a lot. If I can help on the pitch, then that’s even better.”
