Lionel Messi once again came to the rescue of FC Barcelona as he fired home a goal through a rebound from penalty he had missed. Coach Luis Enrique said after the game that it is a very positive result but the job is only half done.
Atletico Madrid made FC Barcelona work hard to earn this victory as the high pressing game of the visitors forced Catalans to change their game plan. Leo Messi came to the rescue of FC Barcelona in the dying minutes as he scored through a rebound from a penalty kick.
FC Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said after the game that he is satisfied with the display of his players against a quality team like Atletico Madrid.
“I see the result as very positive. We knew we had to be very compact and I didna t anticipate a different match because Atletico Madrid are a team that defend really well, are very aggressive, very well prepared and that attack you well on dead balls.
“But with very good circulation of the ball and a very good defensive game, we managed to win.a
The FC Barcelona coach said that a narrow win against Atletico Madrid would help them to progress into the next round.
“Ia m very happy with the result, which is fair and allows us to prepare the return with optimism, in the same way we have this one and looking for the victory, although I would like to have won 5-0! The return leg will be very stimulating and we will go there with the idea of creating many chances and not letting our rival create many.a
Atletico Madrid failed to score a crucial away goal in this Copa Del Rey clash, which puts FC Barcelona in the driving seat. But Luis Enrique feels that the is only half done and they have to perform extremely well at Vicente Calderon, a home ground of Atletico Madrid.
“Knowing the rival and their coach and how they have done in the past few seasons, I still see it at 50 per cent, although whatever the result tonight our aim would have been to go to the Calderon and win the game a even though now a draw would be good enough.”
Barring the inclusion of keeper Ter Stegen at the expense of Claudio Bravo, Luis Enrique fielded the same team which played against Atletico Madrid a fortnight ago but the FC Barcelona boss said that he is still undecided about his ideal starting XI for the club.
“I dona t have a first-choice XI or 10. I have a squad that I like to manage. My idea is to have as many players at my disposition as possible a nothing more, nothing less.”