Barcelona director Deco: ‘If we play like we did today, it will be difficult to win matches’ | OneFootball

Barcelona sporting director Deco did not hide his disappointment after the team’s heavy defeat to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final. 

The damage was done early, with the first half ending in a shocking 0-4 scoreline, leaving the club with a mountain to climb in the return leg.

After the match, Deco faced the media and spoke honestly about what went wrong. He agreed with manager Hansi Flick’s analysis that Atletico simply wanted it more in the opening stages. 

According to him, the difference in intensity and aggression between the two sides was clear from the first whistle.

Honest assessment from Deco

Reflecting on the performance, Deco admitted that Barcelona were second best in every key area during the first half. 

“The first half was tough. Atletico were much better than us, with more intensity and being more aggressive in the challenges. 

“Indeed, the pitch didn’t help, but that’s no excuse because we weren’t good. 

“In the second half, we improved, we scored, and I don’t know if it was a goal or not because I don’t know how long it took them to check for offside,“ said Deco.

However, he is still not giving up on the second leg. “This team has shown that we can come back. We have to focus on La Liga, that’s the most important thing. 

Barcelona suffered a humiliating loss. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

“We have another difficult game on Monday (Girona). If we play with the intensity we need to, we can win, but if we play like we did today, it will be difficult.”

Looking ahead

Even after such a heavy defeat, Deco tried to shift the focus toward what comes next. 

He stressed that the league remains the club’s main objective and that the players must respond quickly in their next fixture.

He also looked ahead to early March, when key players, such as Pedri, Raphinha, and Marcus Rashford, are expected to return from injury. 

“I think we’ll be better. When you get players back, it’s better. Today, it wasn’t a question of having or not having. It was a question of intensity. 

“We knew that Atlético had a team with great players. They have improved with the winter signings, but we didn’t approach the first half as we should have. 

“We have to think about La Liga, and the second leg is still a long way off.”

Lastly, he reminded everyone that Barcelona have produced dramatic comebacks at Camp Nou before and believes the team can at least try to create another special night.

“Barça and this team have shown many times that there have been spectacular comebacks at Camp Nou. It will be difficult, but not impossible. 

“There will be chances to try, we will play at home, with better turf, with our style, and we will try to score goals,” he said.

Source: Mundo Deportivo