Luis Enrique could not hide his delight after seeing his Barça B side record an emphatic 4-1 victory against Villarreal B on Saturday evening and stated afterwards that the team are on course for a good season.
Goals from Marc Muniesa, Jonathan Soriano, Nolito and Rubén Rochina saw the hosts move up to fourth
in la Segunda A after the Miniestadi
win . "The game went very much how we expected it to against a well-organised team," the
Blaugrana coach explained after the triumph. "They have ideas similar to ours and like to see a lot
of the ball while maintaining a good defensive shape."
Complete performance
Reflecting on the team's overall display Luis Enrique continued: "We
were in control of the game at all times," he explained. "It was a complete performance by our
side. Defensively we were good. A team defends as a group, together, and each player had a great
defensive attitude and ensured that they looked to help out when we did not have the ball. We were
also strong going forward. I think we have to be conscious though that there is a lot of room for
improvement."
Good season
The coach was not keen to become carried away with the win and assured: "There have
been games that we have played at home, like against Tenerife and Xerez, when we played better
football and created better situations. But this is a good win and serves to endorse our home form
and means we continue our good season."
B teams
A large crowd also buoyed Luis Enrique as 3,169 attended the match
against Villarreal B. "The fans came along and have been able to enjoy watching two of the best
young, homegrown teams in Spanish football," he said. "We are the only two B teams in the second
division and the supporters watched a very attractive match."
Starting side
Asked about his choice of line-up Luis Enrique explained why he chose to leave Marc
Bartra, Jonathan Dos Santos and Nolito out. "It had a lot to do with keeping one eye on the game
that the first team will play against Ceuta on Wednesday because Pep (Guardiola) will call up a
number of players," he said.
Thiago talent
Thiago Alcántara, who travelled with the first team this weekend, will likely also
be involved against Ceuta. "He is a different type of player with a lot of confidence but he does
need to play football," Luis Enrique explained. "Thiago has it all to be a special player, but he
is not yet there and has a lot to learn and he has to do that. He can produce something special
anywhere he plays and in front of one hundred thousand spectators. He has that ability, that
quality and that is very important."
Photos: Àlex Caparrós-FCB.
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Martí Riverola made his second division debut when he appeared against Villarreal B and coach Luis
Enrique was pleased with his display. "I thought he did very well," the trainer said. "He was given
his reward and he took advantage of it and I am sure that he can help during this season."
Rubén Rochina netted Barça B's fourth goal of the game and his boss was pleased: "When he was
younger he did not have much luck when playing for us in front of goal, but he is a scorer," Luis
Enrique explained. "At the end of pre-season he thought that he was not going to have the chances,
but we told him to stay and he took advantage of that and has battled for an opportunity, which has
now come."
Víctor Vázquez's fine showing also did not go unnoticed by Luis Enrique;: "He is in great
physical shape," he commented. "He has improved and has worked since pre-season to be like that and
I am delighted. I have all the pieces of the puzzle now and they are all important and will all
have a chance."