Unai, your thoughts on that please… Frustrated?
Good evening. Frustrated with the result but overall, in 90 minutes, we played the first half after the goal… They’re always dangerous. [Wolves] did it as well. We tried to keep going in our game plan and we did it by controlling the game with positioning and good progress with passes, trying to stop their high pressing. Then it was about getting in the box and taking corners and taking chances. The first half, I think, we played like we were speaking and I told them I like to watch our team playing like that. Of course the result is the most important. I think the way to get a good result is like that [in the first half].
Then in the second half the rhythm was going down. They were trying to waste time and we didn’t get our best performances trying to play like the first half. It was more difficult. They started the second half getting good chances, it was a good save from Emiliano. We tried to draw and change the match but we didn’t do it. After that match we will be frustrated a little bit but I think the way we were showing in the first half – it’s the way I want. Diego Carlos also coming back is good news after a long injury. It’s fantastic for the team and for him.
Then we are still keeping chances for a European position. Of course after this result less but we are going to play against Tottenham next week, three points difference and at home, we have to be excited because three months ago we were thinking about a different target and now we have it [top half]. Two weeks ago it was better for us, the possibilities [of Europe]. But still we can take it. We will play next week to try and really prepare and enjoy with our supporters at home because, for us, our season isn’t finished.
You’ve labelled next week against Tottenham as a cup final, is that the message in the dressing room with the players?
Yes, yes. That’s the message. I want to play matches like that. Like today, like last week against Manchester United and next week against Tottenham – playing for a new target in front. We will try for the European position and it’s true we have four finals – today we play one, we are reducing our chances but we still have chances for next week.
Unai, are your players suffering from fatigue a little bit? There’s been a lot of similar line-ups…
I think today’s result is not for that. I think we had some chances and we didn’t take them, playing maybe under less control of the game. We achieved some points but, today, we played better and we didn’t do it. I can change my idea and I think this is the way. I want to continue working in this way. To be competitive like we have been, sometimes it’s enough and sometimes it’s not enough. Today wasn’t enough. It was one goal from a set piece. Then we reduced their possibilities to attack our box. We reduced a lot by keeping ball possession, keeping good positioning and took control of the game with the ball and that is the way. We have to improve and add different tactical works. Each match is difficult. We are excited because even after this defeat we still have chances [for Europe].
You’ve lost two games in a row for the first time in a while, what’s been different about performances this week compared to others of late?
Manchester United last week and today, maybe we played better than some matches where we’ve won before. Sometimes we have to be clinical, of course. We have to improve as well being more competitive in moments in the game – for example today the two starts to the first half and second half. It was not good for us, they scored and had chances. This is one thing I want to analyse with the players. Overall, the game plan we did like we prepared for before.
Is Tyrone very down about his big chance he missed?
Yes. They were very good chances. Tyrone’s chances were the best. We had more chances in the first half but were not as clear than Tyrone’s chances. But it’s football. The most important thing is how we can improve and do our way – try to be stronger in our structure, trying to get our style clearer. Today, in this process, we added something more but with the result it’s not completely.
