Celta Vigo Coach Paco Herrera has admitted that his plans for facing Barcelona today have been hit by injury to the defence.
Centre-back Samuel Llorca sprained the ligaments in his left knee in the Copa del Rey midweek match to join the injured Natxo Insa on the sidelines for the weekend trip to Camp Nou.
“Yes, the truth is that it is a shame and a pity, particularly because of the injury to Samuel because he had just entered the team,” reflected Herrera on the situation in his pre-match Press conference.
“We had our hopes that the Cup would be a starting point. However, this injury disrupts those plans. We lack official confirmation from the doctors, but we are concerned that this is more than a two-week injury.
“Conditions have also seen that we do not have two centre-backs in place. We have Tunez and Vila, but that’s it. They will be the starting defenders and we trust that everything will go well.”
The Coach did admit, however, that facing Barca so soon after Real Madrid could be an advantage in terms of preparedness.
“In a way, yes, although they are two very different teams. They are the two best teams in the world, but Madrid kill you with a knockout blow, Barcelona kill you slowly more slowly.
“That’s the big difference between the two. One can leave a little more of the ball to you, but then will steal it and hit you, the other will not let you have the ball and will slowly defeat you.
“Criticisms of Barcelona’s defence seem ridiculous. In Riazor they conceded four, but that was through misfortune. Barcelona are a perfect team that defends in style.”
