Ernesto Valverde assured Barcelona ‘always try to dominate’ after their 4-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League.
“The game was very intense, we expected it to be like that and it was even more so,” said the Coach after Wednesday’s win at Wembley Stadium.
“From the start we put ourselves ahead, but they put a lot of character into the game. We dominated, played from the back and a good performance came out.
“We had chances to extend our lead in the second half. They came back with two goals but, luckily, we made it 2-4.
“We had enough chances not to suffer so much, but ultimately you always suffer in the Champions League.
“We’re the team who always try to dominate and take the initiative. The team play in a certain way, sometimes results accompany us or turn their backs on us.
“Arthur’s profile suits us very well. It’s difficult to take the ball off him and he lets us dominate…
“It was an important match and he played hard. He started the game and we hope it’ll be a starting point for him.
“Coutinho can play in midfield or attack. It depends on the game, but he’s a player with goals in him, he can dribble, pick out the final pass and works well between the lines.
“Messi came into the game from a hat-trick against PSV and scored two more. Messi always emerges, he had bad luck with the posts but we expected him to score, as has been the case twice.
“He’s happy and that’s what interests us.”
