An impressive FC Barcelona won 4-2 against Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in the UEL play-offs. After the final whistle, Xavi Hernández, Jordi Alba, Gerard Piqué and Adama Traoré spoke with the press. They talked about the match, their aspirations and much more.
This is that Hernández had to say:
On the match
“Perhaps it is the most complete match we have played. We were looking to dominate for many minutes and we have been and I am happy with the work, the effort and the match because we have played very good football. We dominated Naples like we did at home.”
Regarding their effectiveness in front of goal
“Napoli pressed us high many times and spaces were created behind the backs of the defenders and we took advantage of them. In the counterattack, after the faulty corner-kick, we exploited the spaces with Adama, Ferran and Aubameyang.”
On their aspirations
“There is hope of being able to play football very well again, I am very hopeful with this team because there are many players to achieve something great, the feeling is very good.”
Regarding Frenkie’s match
“He has played a great game, he scored an amazing goal and he has great confidence.”
Jordi Alba, one of the match scorers, also spoke with the press. This is what he said:
On the match
“I think we played a great game. We have a very good run of results and style of play. I m very happy for the match that the team has played.”
Regarding their attack
“The team has people who know how to control the tempo at key moments and fast players up front. We managed the match in the best possible way, with my goal and then with Frenkie’s goal.”
On the team’s dynamic
“The team has a great style of play and results and today we have competed incredible, which in Europe is never easy.”
Gerard Piqué also gave his opinion after the final whistle:
Regarding their amazing match
“It is very difficult to win away from home in Europe and the team had not been competing at the level that is assumed in a club like Barça. I think we have returned a bit to our roots, to have the ball and control the game.”
On what has changed inside the team
“Many things have changed. I would say that there are fundamentals and a base with which the team feels confident and comfortable. We have reinforced ourselves very well in winter, in attack we now have real attackers and we can count on them to score and compete.”
Finally, Adama Traoré also spoke with the press and gave hiss point of view:
Regarding the match
“It is difficult to play this kind of matches, we can always improve. We have worked well, the team has been intense, we have pressed and have been efficient. I am very happy, this is the right way.”
On their style of play
“Our game is to have the ball and possession looking for free spaces but we can also exploit speed.”
