Coach warns that believing his team is better than Barça would be a trap

“Thinking we are the best would be a trap,” the coach warned after the match against Barça. He also praised the way his team recovered the ball in the opposition half after losing possession, as well as the football played by the Barcelona side. His assessment combined satisfaction with his team’s collective work and respect for the quality of its opponent.

The coach said the match had unfolded as he expected, but was especially demanding. “You only realise Barça’s level when you face them,” he said, describing the contest as very even. In his view, his team handled Barça well in the first half and won the ball back high up the pitch. The second half initially brought a tougher spell: after 10 or 15 minutes under pressure, his side found its rhythm again, went ahead and settled into the match.

That passage, he said, showed why teams must adapt if they are to win important matches and titles against opponents of a similar standard. His side had needed to defend deep for 15 minutes, he explained, but could also break forward in transition. To illustrate the point, he recalled that last year against Bayern his team had been forced to defend. High-level opponents, he added, can decide matches.

Asked whether his team could be considered the best or something special, he rejected the idea: that, he said, would be the first trap. Instead, he highlighted the defensive work and first-half ball recoveries in the opposition half, crediting his forwards. Against Lamine, Fermín and Olmo, he argued, defending without support is impossible.

The coach also said: “I’m culé. I’m a professional and I enjoy my team’s victories.” He called Barça’s individual and collective quality incredible, saying it gave his team’s performance greater merit. He also regretted injuries to three important players, describing them as the worst news, while noting that this is part of high-level football.