Ernesto Valverde concedes Barcelona’s 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid was “very bad” but assures “we want to have the best team possible.”
Valverde’s first official game as Barca Coach ended in a home defeat to Madrid in the Supercopa, leaving them needing at least three away goals if they are to turn the tie around in the return leg.
“We were never out of the match,” he said after the match.
“With the match a draw, we conceded a wonder goal, then another wonder goal.
“There have been moments when we were close to making it 2-1, but that’s football, you have to take your chances and not only reach the danger zones.
“Generally, I think it was a closely-contested game and well played by both teams.
“Every team have their own style of play. The danger for us came when they were counterattacking.
“They’re a team that do well to exploit space and from that came their second goal, which hurt us.
“Still, I’m not fearing any negative effects. It’s a defeat and we have to look forward, although it’s a very bad result and our opponents are understandably bigger favourites.
“We admit that, but we still have to play a second game and things never end after a defeat or a victory.
“We don’t like to lose and much less so against Real Madrid, but there are things that we can salvage from the game.
“We’re a little disappointed, and it’s understanding after a defeat like this, but it’s only for a matter of time and we must recharge our batteries.
“We’re Barca, we want to have the best team and until August 31, [we’ll be] exactly like the other teams.
“The market is open for us to make signing, but I like to value what we have first, despite losing here, although there will certainly be changes in this team. We want to have the best team possible.”
