First team

BERIZZO: “WE NEEDED CHARACTER TO IMPOSE OURSELVES IN A DIFFICULT SITUTATION”

29/10/2017

The coach was happy with the team's "defensive solidity"

Eduardo Berizzo was happy following his side's victory against CD Leganés this Saturday. A perfomance he saw as "very professional against a team who have picked up very good results away from home and are dangerous on the counter. I think my boys' performance was outstanding in a difficult situation. They needed character to impose themselves and we played a very professional match".

"The two pivots helped defensive solidity"

A match which, in his view, which could have ended with even more goals: "I would have loved more goals. In the first half we struggled to create chances and in the second we had five very clear-cut ones. The double pivot also helped us with organisation. Having Pizarro and N'Zonzi helped the solidity of the team. We didn't concede many chances. I'm sure we'll create chances with movement and imagination, but we made enough to beat an opposition a lot of teams struggle to score goals against".

Berizzo assured he doesn't worry too much about the subject of goals "It would be worrying if we weren't creating chances but as long as we are creating, we'll finish them off. I would have loved a third and fourth".

He also praised defensive solidity: "We reaffirmed the Cup win tonight, we regained defensive solidity in the second half, we could have scored many more goals... We might come away with the feeling we should have converted more in the second half".

He also admitted that the double pivot he had already mentioned helped the defense: "Today's performance shows that. The team gained solidity, in muscle, organisation in the centre-midfield and didn't concede many attacks between lines, which was our main aim".

"Being favourite means nothing if you don't show it"

The coach looked to the immediate future: "We have to prove why we're favourites. Being favourite means nothing if you don't prove it. We're very strong at home, we're supported by fantastic fans and we should win on Wednesday with organisation, professionalism and perseverance... The same things we had today, making sure they don't do us damage on the counter like we achieved against Leganés, and convert everything we've created in this match into more goals".