LOPETEGUI: "PLAYING WELL TOMORROW IS NOT ENOUGH, WE HAVE TO PUT IN A GREAT PERFORMANCE"

Julen Lopetegui is looking for a "great performance" from his team in tomorrow night's important clash at home to FC Barcelona.

The coach was speaking at today's pre-match press conference, where he commented on the latest recruits, team selection issues, and the strength of tomorrow's opponents.

He began by commenting on the match itself and the strength of FC Barcelona.

"We're ready for a special and demanding match, against one of the teams that have strengthened the most in world football. They have brought in lots of top-quality players to a squad that was already very good."

"They have the perfect coach for their philosophy. They're our opponents. Aside from that, what's most important is what we have to do, what we want to do and what we can do. That's what we're working on."

"We're convinced that the fans will give us that extra energy tomorrow" 

Lopetegui is fully aware of the impact the fans can have on such an important match.

"The message is that we're playing at home to Barcelona, it's a big, special match, and we have the ambition of getting all three points."

"To do so, you have to put in a great performance. To win matches like these you have to be perfect on every level. Playing well tomorrow is not enough, we have to put in a great performance and that's what we're going to do."

"Tomorrow, we're convinced that the fans will help us, drive us on and give us that extra energy during difficult moments and I'm sure that they'll give us that breath of fresh air."

"We'll try to get Januzaj and Dolberg ready as soon as possible"

Next up on the agenda were the two new arrivals this week, Adnan Januzaj and Kasper Dolberg. He then confirmed that Rekik will almost definitely be unavailable for this clash. 

"They are already part of the squad and we'll try to get them ready as soon as possible."

"Dolberg had an operation on his shoulder in June and his first training session with opposition was today. He trained without contact and we'll try to make his settling-in period as quick as possible."

"Kasper's characteristics are different to what we had and he can help us in different ways. He's very young, he had a very good start at Ajax and he's had all sorts at Nice. He had injuries, it looks like he's recovered and we'll help him out."

"Januzaj is further away from playing. He didn't have a pre-season so we'll try to get him ready quickly, because players who don't have that rhythm from pre-season are lacking in it. He's not in the best conditions but we have to try to get him into that puzzle as soon as possible because we're already competing."

"Karim had a problem in Almería and we don't think he'll make it. We'll wait until tomorrow but I think it'll be very tight."

"We have to be more consistent"

Lopetegui believes that the team need to be more assertive in LaLiga Santander.

"It's true that we've had good first halves and we've not kept that going in the second halves. It's something we need to improve on against any team, but logically tomorrow we have to aim to do things well for as long as possible. Doing it for a while is not enough."

"We have to be more consistent, there have been a lot of changes and we're building a new team in certain situations. Almería happened a long time ago, but we have to try to improve and do so as soon as possible."

"We have to start with solidity, even the smallest chance can end up as a goal. If you're good, you have to stay firm. I think the team will come together, grow with new players and make the most of certain situations. Those little details are important when you have to perform."