Barcelona has taken the classic with the shortest possession in recent years, something they are not used to. Xavi Hernandez he looked for the positive side and highlighted the team’s ability to defend itself without the ball. «Very important victory. For us it is essential after two defeats. We have defended without the ball, which we are not used to. They have not had clear chances and we have minimized to a Madrid That at home is very dangerous, ”the technician began by explaining. «Madrid presses, with players like Kroos and Modric they have tightened us well. They have had control of the ball and we have defended spectacularly without the ball”, he added. And he wanted to make it clear that “Madrid is still the favorite in the tie, they have won many titles.”
The man from Egar insisted analyzing the game: «The result is very positive, the second game remains, satisfied with the work, we have minimized a Madrid in their field that usually has many chances and today they did not have a clear one until 89′. It has been difficult for those of us at the top to win duels to have the ball up, I am going with the generosity of the team. He also highlighted the capacity for suffering: «We have been very supportive for a long time, against a high-level rival they have not given us clear chances but we cannot give the opposing team dominance and we are satisfied with the result but not with the game».
“Favorite? It changes little, it is a certain advantage, but I see this Madrid very strong and the return home before our public. If we had reaped a defeat, I would tell you the same, we won’t have our return for a month, “insisted the Catalan, who added:” It is a classic, but always with respect, the fair play of the two teams is very good.
In the same vein it was shown Ronald Araujo: «Very happy for the victory. We had a nice match. They were protagonists but we got the result we wanted », he pointed out before stressing that « the team is working well and we know how to sufferToday it was seen that we can play together ». The center-back highlighted the importance of the team’s casualties: “We had lost but the group is good and united. We knew the importance of getting a good result. We have important casualties, who are starters, and God willing that for the return we can count on them.
Also Busquets He recognized Madrid’s dominance, although he highlighted the few chances generated by the whites: «We would have liked to have had more possession and control of the ball. It has been their merit and our demerit but we have known how to compete. We have made a lot of wear and tear and they, despite having had possession, have not had chances. A minimal advantage that turns us around.” And he pointed out: «We had just lost two games but there is no need to be alarmist either. We were disappointed because we wanted to continue in the Europa League, but we have a lot of casualties. There’s still a lot. The team will grow. Although we have won we have to improve.
Jordi Cruyff, Barcelona sports director, was satisfied with the performance of the Barça team: «The team has competed well considering that it was a two-game tie. In general terms it has been a game with few scoring chances and a lot of fighting in the midfield. That means it has been a very even match». And he has highlighted Barcelona’s ability to overcome Madrid’s dominance: «It has been different from what we are used to but Madrid is a good team and has the ability to push you back. Keeping a clean sheet is a sign that we are well organized at the back.” Cruyff added: «In the end, if you have casualties up top, if you have half a chance you have to do it and from there keep it up. Already we would have signed this result before playing it but we’ve only done half the job.”
