Karanka (Madrid assistant coach): “It was the correct result after watching the first half”
“The result is a reflection in the match that took place. If in the first half we scored all the chances we had, and they only had a few, and Pipa had a few on the counter, I think it would have been a fairer result. It was a game for a title and this was the result we needed after the result in the first leg and we got the result, which was the most important thing”, said the Real Madrid second coach.
The team showed great character and skill to reverse the result from the first match and the second coach highlighted the players’ good attitude: “I think everyone saw it. Especially in the first half and how it unfolded. In the second half, perhaps we could have done more, but we wanted to continue how we have worked over the last two years and just play how we know how”.
Pepe returned to action after missing two games due to the knock he took on the first match day against Valencia, and Karanka highlighted his important role in the team: “Everyone and above all those of us who are with him everyday know Pepe, know how important he is for the team, not just in terms of playing but also in encouraging the team, his presence. He gives everything on the pitch and off it he’s always encouraging others. A player like Pepe is noticed when he’s playing”.
Finally, regarding the possible exit of players from the squad, Karanka clarified: “As the manager said yesterday, the market is open until the end. What’s best for him is being looked at, it’s him who has to decide. For us, if Esteban (Granero) stays with us it’s the same as with Kaká, we’ll be really pleased if he stays because he’s a player from here, who always gives his all and transmits Real Madrid’s values, but if he decides to leave it will be because its best for him and we wish him the best of luck”.
Tito Villanova (Barcelona coach): “I’m so proud of my players playing down to 10 players for a hour”
“There’s a lot left”
The Barça manager is convinced that this defeat in the Spanish Super Cup will not affect the team going forward: “it’s clear that we would have preferred to win, but – as I said before the match – that this game wouldn’t determine the rest of our season. There’s a lot left. This will continue, and on Sunday we have to play in La Liga.”
Vilanova also noted, despite playing with 10 men and trailing for much of the match, that FC Barcelona was true to its style of play: “despite the risk, we kept on attacking. We went out against Real Madrid like we always do, on the attack. They scored two goals because of our defensive errors. I don’t believe that we were inferior. They were on target and they scored. But I’m sticking with the positive things, with the way we played in the second half and with how we created chances.”
More chances in the second half
When asked if he was taken off guard by Mourinho’s approach to the match, Vilanova was clear: “I knew that he was going to try to win the game. We went down to 10 men with a lot of time left on the clock, at the Bernabéu … We held out and we created five very clear chances to score, but it wasn’t meant to be.”
