Luis Enrique: "This is why we paid what we did for Suárez"

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique spoke in the press conference after his side’s 2-1 victory over Real Madrid.

His analysis: “Within a football match there are different phases and different moments within the game. Our approach was the same in both halves. The problem was that in the first half we struggled to create pressure, but the second half started better for us. The goal calmed us down and from then on we had several chances to get another one. These are two of the best teams in the world, and two with the most punch. It’s a nice win because it is against our rivals. It is important for the league but it is not decisive.”

The position of Messi: “Regardless of the position of Leo, there was balance in our movements because there was freedom, as did Rakitic and Daniel Alves. In the first half there were many players behind the ball but nevertheless I think we played a good first half.”

What percentage of the Liga was won by Barça today?: “I’m not a fan of percentages or speculation. There are ten very important games to go. We are where we wanted to be, it’s still early but we need to focus on the match at Vigo, that I’m sure is going to be very difficult.”

Bravo’s best game of the season: “For this we have goalkeepers, who can make big saves, and we have three of them in Marc, Claudio and Masip, they are great goalkeepers and are there when we need them.”

A great Madrid: “Madrid are the Champions League holders and a team at a similar level to us. I know they have a great team and I congratulate my players because they have been made to suffer in this match. The fans have seen what we needed to do to break them down. We could have scored more goals but so could Madrid in the first half.”

Direct football: “It’s important to have resources in football. We like to keep hold of the ball and defend as far away from our goal as we can. But the opposition is playing too. If we can’t play the way we want to we have to adapt our style. We were up against a very tricky opponent.”

Luis Suárez: “He played very well in the second half, as he did in the first. That is why we paid what we did for Suárez. I’m glad that we have a player who can be decisive. We have been happy with him since he arrived for his commitment and qualities he gives the team.”

Suárez, what he gives the team more than just the goal: “I think I said this before, he is not just an old-fashioned striker, he is a forward who knows how to relate to his team-mates, who can shoot, who is physically tough and who has the right kind of character for the way we play.”

The 3-1: "The idea behind my changes was to gain us more possession of the ball and create more space. We wanted to make it 3-1 because of the head-to-head but at the same time, we didn’t want to risk them drawing. We were more accurate with our pressure towards the end, and it’s a pity we weren’t able to convert any more chances.”

What was said at half-time?: Nothing special. We just analysed the difficulties we had against our opponents. We tried to change the dynamics of the game. When you play against an opponent of this quality sometimes not everything goes the way you want it to.”

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