Debateable first goal
“I just stopped, as did the whole team, even the Barça players. The truth is no-one believed that goal would be allowed. It wasn’t a question of centimetres, it was a question of the ball going two metres out. We couldn’t believe the referee signalled that it was a goal. Everyone around the area just stopped. Starting off at Camp Nou like that is incredibly tough, but the team didn’t collapse at any time, we even had the chance to score”.
Negative dynamic
“The second goal stemmed from a rejection by a defender. When you’re in these situations, when even the refereeing decisions aren’t helping, or clearances by Rosales that instead of going out go into the net, these things happen within a poor dynamic. We’ve had a series of circumstances in these nine League games up to now that have damaged us. It’s by no means an excuse, we cannot shield ourselves behind arbitrary decisions, but they are things that go against us, which are heightened when immersed in a negative dynamic. We have to continue on and focus on the positives we’ve generated”.
Dream debut, but bittersweet
“I’m very happy, it’s a dream I’ve fought for my entire life. I’m very grateful to the coach for giving me the confidence to play. I felt very good on the pitch, even though it’s an extremely demanding stage. It was a dream debut, I just wish it could have been with a victory, which I believe we deserved, or a draw. My job is to try and help the team, which I’m delighted to do, but it would have been great to bring at least a point home from here. I thank my family, who I would have loved to have been here, and my girlfriend who stayed in Málaga. Luckily my sister was here so I felt very well supported. I hope it’s not just about one game, but is the way forward”.
