Almeria Coach Francisco doesn’t believe the score line in the 4-1 defeat to Barcelona truly reflects his team’s performance.
Goals from Alexis Sanchez, Lionel Messi, Carles Puyol and Xavi Hernandez gave Barca a victory that on paper looks more commanding than it perhaps was in reality.
Alejandro Trujillo scored for Almeria and after the match, Francisco told reporters that Barca’s extra goals only came because Almeria sensed they could get a point and pushed forward accordingly.
“With 10 minutes to go the team wanted to go for the draw and ultimately that led to the third goal,” Francisco said.
“It’s too heavy a defeat and it’s a harsh outcome because we wanted to go for the draw.
“I am proud of my players despite the final result, which looks like an easy win for Barca.”
Francisco added that the key to Almeria’s second half performance was stopping the advance of Dani Alves, who enjoyed the freedom of the right wing in the first half but was much more subdued in the second.
“The team felt comfortable and at times Barca weren’t comfortable.
“The first half had an imbalance with Alves. In the second we covered it and made a game of it.”
