FCBARCELONA.CAT

23.01.2010 23:03

Alves decisive

Anna Segura

Dani Alves played a decisive role in Barca’s 0-3 win in Valladolid, setting up the first goal, scoring the second and dominating the right flank throughout the 90 minutes.

Alves was tireless in his performance at the José Zorrilla terrorising the home defenders with his attacks down the wing and also scored a fantastic second goal, which even he admitted he hadn’t expected to go in so spectacularly: “I was trying to score, but I hadn’t expected it to fly in so well. In the end, my goal is just a side show, the important thing is that the team won”.

Here are the post match reactions of some of the players::

Keita

"Valladolid played very well, but the three goals made it a good day for us”.

“I’m available for the boss to decide where I play. If I have to play out of position that’s no problem for me. I really enjoyed playing as a defensive midfielder tonight”.

Ibrahimovic:

"I played better today and set up Messi’s goal, but the important thing is that the team won”

"I just have to keep on trying - the goals will come”.

Messi:

"The important thing is that we won at a tough ground and we are very happy with that. Getting a goal against Valladolid really wasn’t a thing that I was worried about”.

Xavi:

"The first goal calmed us down. We dominated the game and played the controlled football we like. Alves is like another midfielder and he brings a lot to the team. Every centre is a danger and a player like him is a priceless asset”.

"We are on a good run and we are happy with the way things are, we just have to make sure we don’t weaken now. We’ve played 3 or 4 really good games and we are not losing and we’re at the top”.

Valdés: 

“Personally, I’m very happy, I’m playing well- That’s down to the dynamic and the confidence of the team”.

"It’s always important when we are leaders, regardless of the points we have”.

Iniesta:

"Once we had the goal, it was pretty calm, but we had suffered before that as they pressured us “ Ibrahimovic reads the game really well, he makes the right moves and as a midfielder it’s a guarantee having a player like him up front”.