Dani Alves has called on everyone at Barcelona to work together in the wake of the Champions League win over Manchester City.
Alves has previously criticised the club’s supporters for relatively paltry attendances at Camp Nou and a tepid atmosphere inside the stadium.
The full back scored in injury time against City as Barca won 4-1 on aggregate to reach the competition’s quarter finals and he explained his celebration, felt by some to be a message to the fans, at a post-match Press conference.
“I don’t want to reprimand anyone. I’m honest and when the crowd isn’t noisy I say so. That wasn’t the case today. We’re all rowing in the same boat,” Alves said.
“It’s a dance from a Pitbull song,” the Brazil international added.
“I was happy and what we need is to take out the bad that comes from outside and we’ll continue our work.
“We live for this. We do it with a lot of love and dignity. The team will always recover.”
Alves argued that as long as Barcelona are on the same page – board, players, coaches and fans – they can achieve great things.
“When we’re all together it’s difficult to beat us here. That connection makes us stronger.
“We are Barcelona and we must be united.
“People talk about a lot of things…I don’t know what will happen if we go a year without winning.
“We defend this shirt with dignity and honour and want to do the best we can. We have good days and bad days.
“It’s not for a lack of trying. When we don’t win, we’re the first to be unhappy. It’s normal for the fans to be upset then. It’s part of our job.”
