Barcelona captain insists still room for improvement after 3-1 win vs Alaves – ‘We can do much better’

FC Barcelona have moved past Real Madrid and taken the top spot in the La Liga table today after beating Alaves 3-1 at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Having conceded within a minute of the game starting, the Blaugrana put on a spirited fightback as Lamine Yamal equalised in the eighth minute before Dani Olmo made it 2-1 close to the half-hour mark. The Spaniard netted the third in the dying stages of the game.

Raphinha, making his first start since returning from injury, played a key role for Barcelona. He had a big hand in the team’s first two goals and should have been awarded the assists for both, but was not for Lamine’s equaliser.

Speaking to the media after the match, Raphinha stated that it did not matter if the assist was not given to him as long as Lamine was able to score and get the team back in the game.

“It doesn’t matter if they count an assist, the most important thing is that Lamine was able to score and tie the game,” he said.

“I try to give my best in the minutes I’m on the team, being able to start in the eleven makes me happy, but what I do is help the team as much as possible and I’m happy about that,” said the Brazilian winger, who captained the team out today.

Providing an update on his fitness condition, after having spent two months out with injury, Raphinha added:

“I’m trying to get back to my best physically. I’m not fit to play 90 minutes, but when I’m on the pitch, I try to give my all. In the second half, I felt the fatigue I had. I’m working to get back to my best and I hope to recover my best form as soon as possible.”

With Raphinha on the pitch, Barcelona were much better when it came to pressing from the front, something that had been missing during his absence. Discussing that side of his game, he explained:

“I often say that the best defence starts with a good attack. It’s crucial that we help the defence with pressure. I try to make it easier for our defenders and more difficult for the opponent.”

“I try to press and take away space from the other team’s centre-backs so we can have the ball. It’s good when the team presses behind me like that, but I often do it without thinking. I just run to try and win the ball back as quickly as possible.”

Adding how it was in his nature to push himself and those around him, Raphinha added:

“I often feel like I’m being a bit pushy with the pressure. There are many times when they think I talk too much, that I’m too demanding, that I expect too much from them, but that’s just who I am.

“I demand more from people I know can give much more. I accept this responsibility, and then in the locker room we hug each other and celebrate the victory.”

Concluding, Raphinha noted how he agreed with manager Hansi Flick that this Barcelona team were capable of delivering better and that there was still plenty of room for improvement.

“The manager felt we could do much more on the pitch, and we also know we can do much better. His feeling is that the team isn’t playing at its best, and I agree,” said the winger.

“We have to improve a lot, but even so, I think the most important thing today was to come away with the win. We have time to fix the things we’re doing wrong, and I’m sure we’ll get back to our best.”

“We’ll win by playing well, but if there are games where we play badly, I don’t care; the important thing is to win,” Raphinha concluded.

Source: MARCA