Dani Alves has reflected on how he sees Barcelona as in transition, which whilst necessary, still has the side with work to do on aspects of their play.
The Catalans are under the guidance of Tata Martino this season and have begun with some inconsistent patches of form over games.
Yesterday’s 4-0 win over Ajax was not without the Dutch side enjoying periods of possession and creating chances.
For the team’s attacking right-back, Barca are in a period of change, one that he sees as necessary for the long term.
“I think it is important to win to improve and correct things. We are in a transitional moment where we are looking for our best version,” Alves told Barca TV.
“But, we are on the right track because we are winning. What we’re doing is not so different, but we are introducing new things to counter certain teams that just come to defend.
“We’re looking into ideas for creating more goalscoring chances There are alternatives to the philosophy that we have had, but with the same goal of having a lot of possession and much of the play.
“We will try to reach our best version as soon as we can, but time will tell. We know that we lack certain aspects.
“Sometimes we feel that we are not co-ordinated in pressurising, we need to bring the team together.
“Sometimes the lines are far apart, but every day we are getting better.”
The Brazilian was asked if the best version of Barca was in the past, under Pep Guardiola.
“Those are moments that are left to remember. Now we have to try to be better or to have something different, because what we did before has been seen and it was easy to counteract this.
“When you have alternatives to that, the opponent does not know what you are going to do. That is what we are looking for.
“Knowing when to have possession and when to directly attack.”
Alves reflected on yesterday’s result, which was aided by Lionel Messi’s hat-trick and Victor Valdes’ second-half penalty save.
“In the first half we lacked intelligence – if you cannot pressure as desired then you have to take a step back and re-organise.
“The danger is if we press badly, it creates much space. But in the second half we improved, the Coach has positioned us better.
“Messi and Valdes help us a lot. That is why they are here. They are the best in their positions.
“Beyond the goals and the penalty, I always stay with the team’s effort, because we faced a strong opponent.”
