It was a relieved Barca coach who spoke after the 1-0 victory over Athletic Club Bilbao. There was great praise for the 17-year-old match winner Marc Guiu, but at the same time there was also an acknowledgment of the team’s problems in the match.
”It was a hard-earned victory and we knew we were facing a tough opponent. We met a brave Athletic and we knew they would push us. They worked well, but if anyone deserved the win, it was us, because we wasted three or four big chances” Xavi began.
”hings didn’t work out very well for us and we could have drawn or lost, but now we’re all happy. It is something that we should all celebrate’” continued the Barca coach.
Here’s what he also said:
The score of Marc Guiu:
”Marc is one of the club’s own boys and he made a difference. I am very happy for him and for the three points, which are very important. I like him and I have no problem using the club’s own players. I show them the trust that I myself was shown when I was 17-18 years old. It’s definitely the best day of his life’.‘
An assessment of the match:
”In the first half we couldn’t get out of their right-hand pressure, but our physical work was spectacular. We did better in the second half and played the game to win it, but it wasn’t outstanding’.’
Several young players are doing well:
”I’m surprised they’re not more startled. They look very sharp. You can see on their face that they are saying – put me on the field and you will see. I also saw that with Gavi, Balde, Lamine and Fermín’.‘
El Clásico on Saturday:
”El Clásico is very important for us, but we have a Champions League match before that. It is vital for us and we have many injuries. We finished the game today with a huge effort. We picked up two points against Madrid. El Clásico is particularly important because we play at home’.‘
The injury situation leading up to El Clásico:
”Koundé will definitely not be ready, because his injury is of longer duration and Sergi Roberto won’t make it either, but we’ll see with the others. It will depend on how they feel, but we don’t want to force anything’.‘
An assessment of Joao Felix’s performance:
”Joao has played a fantastic match. He makes a huge difference and is an extraordinary player. I am very happy for him’.‘
