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After yesterday's "El Clasico" match between the leaders of the Spanish championship and the Madrid teams, which ended in a stunning victory for Catalonia with a score of 3-0, the coaches of the teams were inclined not to overestimate the importance of this match.
Barcelona's head coach Frank Rijkaard said, "the victory was deserved, but not easy."
"We planned to press the opponents from the very beginning of the match, not allowing them to create anything, but at first, we didn't succeed much," Rijkaard commented on the match. "However, we managed to take the initiative about 15 minutes after the start of the match and naturally, we were able to score."
Barcelona's strategist emphasized teamwork as the main factor for the victory: "We certainly didn't crush them, but I am very satisfied; and not only because of the three goals, but also because of the number of opportunities to score against a team like Real. Everyone played great: Puyol and Oleguer stopped Real's attacks, Gio (Giovanni van Bronkhorst) dominated the left flank, Deco and Xavi controlled the situation in the midfield, and Ronaldinho in the attack. Even Damià, who appeared in the match as a substitute, demonstrated excellent play. It was a true team game."
Finally, speaking to journalists, Rijkaard did not miss the opportunity to remind his players that these matches were not decisive: "We must continue to strive and demonstrate excellent play. Real will certainly seek revenge and it is still too early to say whether these matches will have any significance at the end of the season."
Barcelona president Joan Laporta was also in a great mood: "This is an amazing team where everyone knows what to do. The team definitely deserves a ten today."
Real coach Garcia Remón said after the match that the result of the match was determined by Roberto Carlos's mistake, after which a goal was scored: "I don't think Barcelona was much stronger. We just lacked luck, which was on the home team's side this time. Everything was determined by the first goal, which was scored very painfully. Until then, we were certainly fighting, but at the worst moment, the goal was scored, which broke the team."
However, Remón also did not overestimate the importance of the match: "Now we must defeat Barcelona in Madrid and earn four more points than Barcelona in the next matches."
Real president Florentino Perez also downplayed the importance of the match: "We only lost three points. Our current position in the standings really allows us to fight for the champion's title. We will strive to be in the best form at the end of the season, as the championship is a marathon that ends in May."
Real's president also pointed out what he believes is needed to win the championship: "Yesterday was only the 12th out of 38 season matches. There are still many matches to be played. Now we need to win at home, and play equally away. Then we will definitely win the championship."
After the match, Barcelona star Carles Puyol said, "Nothing is won yet and we will not crown ourselves champions until the end of the season."
The author of the first goal, Samuel Eto'o, assessed the team as follows: "Everyone played great. Puyol defended as if his life depended on it."
