Barcelona

Close call against second division B side Cornellà in Copa del Rey

Ronald Koeman during the match agains Cornellà / FC Barcelona

After beating 0-2 a highly competitive Unión Esportiva Cornellà, Ronald Koeman, Ilaix Moriba and Clément Lenglet spoke with the press regarding the match, the missed penalties and much more.

The Dutch manager took the opportunity to express his frustration and irritation with his team after the game. This is what he had to say.

On the match

“We have missed two penalties, but we have had many opportunities. This cannot happen in a team like Barça. We should have controlled the game much earlier.”

Regarding the two missed penalties

“I don’t understand it either because we usually have enough players who can score penalties. It may be scary but I don’t know. We have failed too much lately and above all to ease the match. If you score one of the penalties, you get back on track.”

On the reason behind his substitutions

“We had more depth with two more open players in the second half. So we put Antoine behind Braithwaite with two wingers. Riqui already had a card and that is why we changed him.”

On the team’s debutants

“Those who have debuted today have shown that they can have a future at this club.”

Ilaix Moriba, the young midfielder product of La Masia, was one of those debutants and made a good impression during his first match.

Regarding how he felt playing with the first team

“It’s a magnificent feeling. From the moment the manager told me I was going to be in the line-up today, it has been something amazing. I got home and couldn’t sleep. I am very happy with the club, especially with the manager, very grateful, as well as with all my teammates who have made it possible for me to play well.”

On his future

“I go day by day. They are the ones who tell me up or down. I have to do my thing and be aware that my team is Barça B, with ‘Pimi’. This is the best birthday present I could have and I really thank Koeman.”

Regarding the match

“The manager already told us that it was going to be a difficult game, but I couldn’t picture myself out of the Cup. I was convinced that we were going to be there until the end and we were going to pass.”

Finally, today’s captain Clément Lenglet also spoke with the press and emphasized the strength that the team showed.

On the match

“It seemed that the game was going against us. Two missed penalties, occasions that we have not scored, overtime. In the end we have won the march, it is deserved and our merit and we must highlight it.”

Regarding the difficulty of this team

“It is never easy to win a match against a team in the first, second A or second B divisions, there are things to improve but we have won.”