Barça convincingly defeated Granada 4-0 away at Nuevo Estadio de Los Cármenes, with braces from Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann. Ronald Koeman and Griezmann reflected on the team’s performance and the boost this win will give the team in the post-match interviews.
Here’s what Ronald Koeman had to say:
On the team’s recent performances
“The team is improving a lot. It was a very important week and we achieved nine points and with good performances, which gives me a lot of confidence for what’s to come.”
On the performance against Granada
“We were superior, we created opportunities, we had possession of the ball and we did not concede chances. For a week with three away games, nine points and an improvement in the performance, it gives everyone confidence.”
On the importance of scoring first
“If we get ahead on the scoreboard we are difficult to beat, as shown by the effectiveness of today’s game.”
On what this win means for the season
“It is a very complicated season due to many circumstances and we will fight until the end.”
On his substitutions
“The result was very favorable in the second half and we were able to change everyone who played many minutes, to ensure they stay fresh.”
On the mindset of the team
“Fighting has to be the mentality of the team and we know that we have important players who cannot play due to injuries. But I think the team is improving a lot, it was a very important week. We are calmer and we enter more concentrated than in other games.”
On Griezmann’s role:
“The forwards have different functions, we try to play with the three attackers having freedom. Leo, the great player that he is, drops down and looks for depth. Antoine is different from Ousmane, but when you’re in the area it’s important to score.”
On Messi
“Barça needs Leo for his play, for his importance in creating opportunities and for his effectiveness. As I have always said from day one, with Leo I have always been happy. He has always done his best.”
On Umtiti
“It is very important to have a clean sheet. The team was very good and Samuel has played his first full game in a long time. I think he was good, in defense, and also in positional play with good passes from behind. He and Oscar have proven to have a place in this squad.”
On de Jong’s evolution
“In recent years, de Jong did not play that high, neither in Ajax nor with me in the national team. He has the physique and the dribbling, he has qualities to do more than just start from behind. I hope he continues like this.”
On Riqui Puig
“It seems that you think that I have something against Riqui and it is not like that. I spoke of young players and it seems that I spoke of Riqui and it is not like that. There are also Konrad, Junior, Matheus. If I have something with Riqui and I believe something about his game, I talk to Riqui. It depends on the player and generally speaking I think you have to look for the best for the players.”
Here’s what Antoine Griezmann had to say:
On if he was satisfied
“Yes. We needed all three points, to win. I am happy with the team’s work. You have to add three points at such a time throughout LaLiga. Granada are a difficult team, but we started well. And in the second half our players were able to rest.”
On Araújo’s injury
“Umtiti was not able to prepare, but he has played a great game.”
On his goals and assist
“The goals are thanks to the team and with the confidence that we are grasping, the goals come out easier. They weren’t going in for me, but now it seems that it is going well… Hopefully it continues like this.”
On whether Barça are in the fight for LaLiga
“In each game we have to play for the three points, but the image we have to give is the one we gave today.”
