“How do you analyze this poor performance?
Defeat does not make us happy. We dominated in the first half, but after their goal we had doubts. We faced an opponent with a lot of quality. We changed our plans at the break and the match changed, we scored two goals. But Barça continued to play very well afterwards. There were strong moments, weak moments, and ultimately the result was not good for us.
Did your players manage their emotions poorly?
We managed the emotions quite well I think, it’s not just that… We could have done better. I congratulate FC Barcelona on their performance this evening.
“We need players capable of defending Lewandowski and Raphinha, and we will have to have more offensive pressure in Barcelona”
What can we say about Kylian Mbappé’s failed performance?
Mbappé? I don’t want to talk about any individual player. I prefer to talk about my work, the coach is responsible for the result, we don’t have to talk about a particular player. I’m the only one who sees all the training, that’s why I have the job, I’m the coach, and I thought that what I chose to start was the best solution to win this match.
Are you still confident before the return match in Barcelona?
I have no doubt that we can qualify. Everyone speculates, but we, for example, have not lost away in the Championship. We have six days to prepare. Away goals no longer count as doubles, this allows the confrontation to remain open.
Were you surprised by the quality of Barça?
I wasn’t surprised by the Barça match. We know that we have to work on high pressure, we need players capable of defending Lewandowski and Raphinha, and we will have to have more offensive pressure in Barcelona. This qualification will depend on small details and we have to work on these details for the return match.”