FCBARCELONA.CAT

09.09.2008 23:59

Luis Enrique: “Sant Andreu were fair winners”

Anna Segura

Luis Enrique, who managed Barça against Sant Andreu, had no qualms about losing the game to a side he considered fair winners. The Barça Atlètic coach was especially impressed with the defensive qualities shown by this evening’s opposition.

With the Barça squad featuring only reserve and junior players for the semi final of the Copa Catalunya against Sant Andreu, the honour of giving the orders was handed to reserve team manager, Luis Enrique.

A dignified winner

Luis Enrique admitted that Sant Andreu were the better team. His own Barça Atlètic have three games this week against Sant Andreu, and the first encounter has served as a useful test ahead of the others. Luis Enrique said “we were playing a team that plays in our league, that knows how to play the game, that has an excellent defence and that created two or three very good goalscoring opportunities today.”

The players

Adrià Carmona, aged just 16 and the youngest player on the pitch, said “we expected to win but personally I am delighted to have made my debut. We have to keep working so that they don’t catch us up in the league”.

David Álvarez, said “they had more chances. They came at us three times and scored three goals … We were especially enthusiastic about playing because we are youth players that want to earn our places”.

Busquets’ experience

Sergi Busquets, who scored Barça’s only goal, said “there are no excuses because we are Barça and we always have to go out there looking to win … we didn’t play badly but we made a few errors that lost us the game”.

Abraham, meanwhile, said “we play better at the Miniestadi … we couldn’t beat a team that will do well in Second Division B”.

Oriol Romeu, who was born nearby in the Tarragonan town of Ulldecona, was most touched by the reception he received in Sant Carles de la Ràpita.