Las Palmas celebrates a remarkable win over Barcelona, marking their first away victory since 1971.
Las Palmas: The manager of Las Palmas, Diego Martinez, has responded to claims about his team’s playing style after their surprising win against Barcelona. The Canary Islands team triumphed 2-1 at Montjuic, marking their first away victory against Barcelona since 1971, a momentous occasion for the club.
Martinez has a strong history against Barcelona, having previously drawn with Xavi Hernandez and defeated coaches like Ronald Koeman and Ernesto Valverde. When asked about his strategy for facing Barcelona, he emphasized the importance of belief in achieving success.
He noted that while he studies his opponents, sometimes things don’t go as planned. He believes that success depends not only on his team’s performance but also on the rival’s play. Martinez insisted that to earn points, the team must have confidence.
Martinez’s team took advantage of what Hansi Flick described as a lack of focus from Barcelona. When questioned about accusations of playing direct football and wasting time, Martinez disagreed. He clarified that while they played vertically, it was not a direct style of play.
He explained that they attacked spaces effectively against Barcelona’s high defensive line, similar to how Celta plays. Martinez pointed out that there were few aerial duels, which contradicted the claims made about their style.
Martinez expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, especially in their ball movement. He appreciated their quick transitions and vertical play, which allowed them to exploit spaces. Although he wished for more possession, he was pleased with how they utilized the ball when they had it.
He acknowledged that the long wait for a win against Barcelona was significant for the players and fans. Martinez highlighted the team spirit and the contributions of players like Oli and Scott, who feel a strong connection to Gran Canaria.
He urged those focused on Barcelona to also recognize the importance of this victory for Las Palmas. He mentioned that the 15 points gained could be crucial for their survival in the league.
Hansi Flick commented on the match, stating that his team fought until the end but faced challenges. He noted that they created chances but needed to improve their defense.
Martinez also discussed how Las Palmas planned their attacks, focusing on exploiting the spaces behind Barcelona’s full-backs. He acknowledged Barcelona’s strengths but emphasized the importance of quick transitions and precise passing to create opportunities.
Image Credit: www.yahoo.com
Image Credit: www.yahoo.com