Barca lucky to avoid defeat – Lucho

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique admits his were fortunate to avoid defeat in their Copa del Rey semi final second leg but deserve to be in the final.

The Catalans held on to a draw in an action-packed controversial match which saw three red cards, a missed penalty for the visitors who also had a goal wrongly disallowed, but Barca advanced to their fourth consecutive final in the competition.

"It was tough and difficult, but we have to be very happy," Luis Enrique told reporters after the match.

"Evidently not because of how we played, but because the team is continuing to make history.

"The result is deceptive. Across the 90 minutes we did not deserve this result, but we deserve to be in the final because of what we've done in the competition before tonight.

"We made too many mistakes here. We didn't have quality when we were on the ball, but so much happened at the end that I will have to analyse the game properly — but we have to improve.

"The tension of the game took its toll….it's not normal that we lose so many balls. But I have complete confidence and faith in my players and in finding solutions.

"All the good things and all the bad things are the responsibility of the coaches. Look at the forest, not the trees. Look at the forest, it's leafy and beautiful…

"We are where we are with players missing, with the schedule we have… There are many positives."

Tags Luis Enrique
La Liga - Club News