Ernesto Valverde said Barcelona deserve credit for forcing Inter back in a 2-0 Champions League victory. “We stopped them from playing.”
The Blaugrana dominated possession, as is their wont at Camp Nou, and Rafinha’s strike was consolidated by a late Jordi Alba angled drive, securing the win even without star man Lionel Messi.
The Argentine was in the stands with his arm in a sling after a nasty fracture at the weekend.
Ernesto Valverde said Barcelona deserve credit for forcing Inter back in a 2-0 Champions League victory. “We stopped them from playing.”
The Blaugrana dominated possession, as is their wont at Camp Nou, and Rafinha’s strike was consolidated by a late Jordi Alba angled drive, securing the win even without star man Lionel Messi.
The Argentine was in the stands with his arm in a sling after a nasty fracture at the weekend.
“Messi is always missed, but we want to miss him by winning. We’ve said it from the start. We stopped them from playing and we did so throughout the match,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“It was an important and difficult match and our first without Messi. Everyone was expectant and I think we responded well.
“It’s true that today’s game helped us take a step forward without Leo. Our intention was, knowing who we were facing, for Inter not to have the ball and to be very quick in our pressing after losing the ball.
“They’re an attacking team, but we were the better team throughout. Arthur played very well and I’m very happy with him.
“The change? I didn’t want to risk him because he had a little knock and with everything that’s coming up…”
Rafinha received a rare start and provided a goal against the club he was on loan with for six months last season.
“Everything seems brighter when you score a goal, but Rafinha’s work was already for all to see without it. He linked up well between the lines and was very generous when it came to winning the ball back,” continued Valverde.
“The good thing about today’s match is that we overcame the adversities we had. We have nine points and there was a draw [between Tottenham and PSV], which favours us in the group.
“The team played well, but we were especially fantastic at Wembley. We always play as a team but when Messi is there, he gives us a touch of brilliance, which makes him extraordinary.
“Today we were successful in the game and with our chances. Leo rescues us in games that are difficult to break open. We hope he recovers as soon as possible.
“Everyone wants to play, there’s no doubt about that. Arturo has a lot of enthusiasm. He always goes forward and is contagious with his pressure.
“He gets close to the opposition’s goal too. He can help us, for sure. Inter are a great team but if they didn’t play well, it’s more because of us than it is them.
“We played in their half for the entire game, except at the start of the second half.”