MADRID, 19 One. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The FC Barcelona coach, Jonathan Giráldez, highlighted the victory of his players in the first semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid (1-0) and assured that they were capable of “chipping stone until they found the goal” in time discount thanks to a goal from Alexia Putellas, the current ‘Golden Ball’.
“The locker room values everything they do every day because it is very difficult to maintain such a high rhythm of competition for 90 minutes. This team has been able to break through stones until they found Alexia’s goal. We value all the victories. Whether playing well, regular or less well. Being a victory like this against a great rival I think you can’t criticize these players at all”, Giráldez valued.
In addition, the culé coach said that they should be on the sidelines of possible criticism for having won in a tight way. “Public opinion or what the environment may think about it does not condition us at all, neither in praise nor in criticism,” he said.
“We had the reference of the last match in their sports city. They have changed little in relation to what we had planned. We have been somewhat better at the level of the game in the second half and -without going into depth- surely these references and experiences will help us to prepare for the next match. Football is constantly adjusting pieces to counteract the rival and be able to win”, he added.
In relation to the merit of his opponent, Giráldez affirmed that the “simple” analysis says that “when you score late or do not score, it is due to both”. “We had the feeling at the beginning of having created chances but not as many as we expected and then in the second half we found the spaces better and perhaps we had clear chances that we usually don’t miss. And this always determines because the rival can catch you in any situation or any mistake,” he said.
“We have taken advantage of the least clear of the game, practically in the extension, and I think we have to value this victory because it is an important victory. We have planned the game to be better than Real Madrid and this experience will reorient us for the next time We face each other. We learn from every game. Winning in the 90th minute with this competitive level has a lot of merit and reinforces the commitment and attitude of the team”, he concluded.