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"I see the team ready"
Quique expects a good display from the group because he fears that Barcelona "will be angry with us"
Quique Sánchez Flores knows that the team is in a good moment and that the match against Barcelona will be a good test to assess the improvement that has been evident in recent weeks. However, from respect to the rival, he announces that they will try to overcome this round against a powerful team both technically and physically.
He knows that two seasons ago a similar tie became, then, a psychic handicap that the team dragged during many weeks. That is why he insists that "we want the response to be materialised in the field, that we are strong, tough people, that there is rivalry and that we know that there is a lot at stake. If Barcelona can be angry with us, they will".
He insists that "we have to be smart when it comes to sharing efforts. Time runs in their favour and in the end they impose themselves physically. We hope to play the game we want. We have to raise the game to 90 minutes and try to have options. We played against other teams that seemed invincible and we have done well".
He also understands that football is aggressive and with contact, "but not with harshness. I want an aggressive team and put the leg. The teams that are not lucky enough to be so superior have to fight, run and have contact”.
He said that they will try to win "as the team has done every year. We're going to try not to notice that. We have a shortage of players in terms of fatigue, injuries or discomfort, but we also have the motivation that we must compete because we deserved to be in the quarterfinals. I see the team prepared, willing and confident."
“We know the complexity of this tie but it is not impossible. Valverde is a normal guy who deserves all the good that happens."
“We are preparing the game with affection, with care and we do not see it as something temporary. We are in a position in the league in which we hope that the second round will be like the last one. What we have done so far against Barcelona has not helped us, we have to do different things".