Unai Emery
What did you say to the players at half-time?
Before the match I was speaking with the players here and they knew it was a tough match. At the same time, I read the last three matches were two wins and one draw. I was telling them that this was good how they played previously. It was difficult and tough at times and, in the first half, we were trying to be competitive but we didn’t deserve more in the first half. We kept going and kept ball possession and we were clinical. We stopped them from pressing and pressing. They didn’t get to our box. At the end, it was a very good three points.
You’ve been very frustrated the last few weeks, will you celebrate tonight, perhaps with a glass of red?
My family and friends will celebrate but we are going to prepare for the next match against Crystal Palace. We are grateful to our supporters for travelling away, supporting us.
We aren’t playing the same competitive way at home. We are very competitive away and winning a lot of matches. We want to share with them but my next challenge is at home against Palace next Saturday. I want to keep being consistent like we were today. We will try and get better performances.
Is Coutinho OK for next week?
Coutinho is injured and it’s longer than one week. It’s a muscular injury. I think he’ll be out for one month, more or less. Yes, after the international break.
When Ollie was stepping up for the penalty you looked nervous. Did you have any doubts Watkins would score today?
No. I was thinking how it can change the match if we score and was thinking about the next plan after the goal and how it can change.
I have confidence and it was very good, the decision from Emiliano Buendia, to give him the ball to score. That is the spirit I want to select each match, for players to choose the penalty shooter. I prefer to speak with them and the specialists that they are… I want them to share different moments. Today was the day for Ollie Watkins.
