Barcelona boss Luis Enrique insists his side deserved more after they lost 1-0 to a rigid and disciplined Real Sociedad side at the Anoeta on Sunday.
La Real got their noses in front just two minutes into the game in San Sebastian after Sergio Canales’ cross was turned into the net by Barca defender Jordi Alba.
Barca, who are priced at 6.50 to win the Champions League, failed to recover from the early slip and never really looked like getting back on to level terms until a late onslaught in the final 15 minutes.
Enrique felt that it was always going to be a tough ask to take something from a stadium where the club has struggled in the past, but believed his squad was capable of getting back into the game.
The Blaugrana boss surprised many with his selection in the first game back since the winter break, leaving Lionel Messi, Neymar and Dani Alves all on the bench.
Messi was introduced at half-time but the four-time Ballon d’Or winner could not find his way through a crowded rear-guard action.
The 44-year-old Enrique believes that the final result was unfair and was heavily critical of the Basque side for the way they defended in numbers.
Enrique said: “It’s difficult to attack against a team that parks the bus and La Real closed up more than normal after they went up 1-0.
“I had the feeling that things would be difficult after seeing how we started the game. I only remember the play in which we scored them a goal and dominated.
“We didn’t have many chances on goal. This is an unfair result. I think we deserved more. We didn’t have the luck or accuracy at the time to score.”
Leave a comment
Link Dafabet