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García: "We are hurt, but we will keep going"

The coach urges his side to pick themselves up after the derby defeat

RCD Espanyol coach Luis García talked to the media after what he acknowledged was a tough defeat in the derby against FC Barcelona.

“They hurt us a lot in the first half," he lamented. "In the second half we played on the limit and that was when we defended the best."

"We are still alive and we will try until the end. The situation is tough but now the only thing that we have in mind is fighting back at Vallecas at Rayo Vallecano. There is the same gap to safety, but one matchday less remaining. We will keep going."

Of the performance, García said that "We lacked forcefulness, more of a push to go forward and better defending. In the first half, when we had more superiority in terms of the ball, it was worse for us. We were with taking risks in the second half, we did well. We lacked forcefulness and didn't win our duels."

"We have to be self-critical," he pointed out. “I am ultimately responsible for the result. The players tried to improve things, but it was not enough. Winning battles, being tough, being aggressive in the area. Lacking that is doing us a lot of damage. We have to get active on this again for the four 'finals' that remain."

Lastly, the Espanyol coach commented that “it's a difficult day for Pericos. We know what this game means and everything that was at stake. We were not up to the task. If we can find something good to take away, it is that we are at the same distance from safety as before. We only have to win in Vallecas. The situation is more difficult, but it is still possible. We can't give up. If anything has characterised us, it is that we try until the end."