Valverde: "We only lacked a goal"

[Barcaman]

Barca coach spoke after 0-0 draw with Olympiakos in Athens in 4th match of his team's Champions League group stage.

"We tried to get to our opponents’ goal through possession, but they did a great job defensively and tried to surprise us on the counterattack, spurred on by their fans.”

“We had chances to win and qualify, but it wasn’t be and we have to keep going.

“We only lacked a goal against an inferior team on paper, but we’ve taken a step forward, even if it’s not the one we wanted."

“We’re satisfied but not entirely so. The problem with your opponents dropping so deep is that you can only push on gradually and they can also gain momentum."

 

[serghei]

He's turning into Lucho in the 3rd season, only twice as fast.

 

[Barcaman]

Think we are overlooking his problem with motivating the squad. Which, btw. was always Barca's one of the main issues.
Valverde's Basques were carried by their national spirit and team was made up of many young and hungry players so he didn't have to do much motivating there.

I am pissed at some players lack of effort but it's ultimately coach who is responsible for getting them to work. Rakitic won't run? Pique isn't focused? Suarez dropped his pressing? Just bench them.

 

[Sorin]

Think we are overlooking his problem with motivating the squad. Which, btw. was always Barca's one of the main issues.
Valverde's Basques were carried by their national spirit and team was made up of many young and hungry players so he didn't have to do much motivating there.

I am pissed at some players lack of effort but it's ultimately coach who is responsible for getting them to work. Rakitic won't run? Pique isn't focused? Suarez dropped his pressing? Just bench them.

When you see Bob sprinting like a madman after playing 90 minutes and Rakitic half jogging both forward and in defense, and the guy still gets to play every match in his position while Bob is shoehorned here and there just to keep the impression that he has been given minutes, it's frustrating and borderline infuriating.

But "ma results tho"...