Ernesto Valverde admitted Barcelona were ‘anxious to redeem themselves’, despite Saturday’s 5-0 thrashing of Sevilla in the Copa del Rey Final.
“When you lose with a big team, it’s always a disaster. I knew what I was signing up for,” the Coach told reporters.
“I feel good. We were all a bit anxious to redeem ourselves, not only me but also the players and the club.
“We came out with great determination, and a great game was the outcome. Sevilla threatened to come back after each goal, but we kept growing.
“When you imagine a Final, you imagine it to go like that. You imagine everything goes well, that you dominate and enjoy it.
“Iniesta? The fans enjoyed the performance he had, and I took him off so he could be given an ovation, but it wasn’t a goodbye message or anything, just an acknowledgment.
“The truth is it’s a pleasure to watch him play like he did today. What he and Messi do looks simple, but it’s not. It’s very difficult!
“Cillessen? His performance was more than outstanding. I remember him making decisive saves in many games.
“He’s given us a lot. I thought about playing him before the Final, but ultimately I decided against it.
“Regarding the first goal, we know he took a big kick, and it’s an option when they press us. Fans whistling the anthem? It’ll become our own anthem for Finals…”
