Luis Enrique: Defeats can be valuable for teaching

The FC Barcelona manager underlines the need to refocus for Tuesday’s Champions League clash

FC Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique Martínez knew it all along. His team had just lost 2–1 to arch-rivals Real Madrid, yet he remained upbeat.

"What happened can happen in any football game," he said. After seeing his team’s 39-game un beaten streaked snapped at home the FCB coach offered up some words of wisdom: "Defeat also teaches things."

He urged caution while highlighting the need for his players to pick themselves up and march onward.

Here are the highlights of what he had to say:

On the match:

“Real Madrid have players who are tough to defend and very effective."

"In the first half we were far superior and we had more chances, but in the second half they took advantage of their transitions."

"Today we lost turned over too many easy balls."

“In the second half they stayed back and looked for the transition, and for most of the game we held them in check.”

On staying leaders in La Liga:

"The most consistent team will win."

"Going 39 games unbeaten means little if you don’t win titles at the end of the season."

On Tuesday’s first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals:

"Our opponents will put on a lot of pressure and will make it tough for us."

On losing:

“You don’t get to choose when you lose.”

“Today we didn’t experience the joy we were hoping for.”

“For me this game is history.”

from News at FCB http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/fc-barcelona-s-luis-enrique-defeats-can-be-valuable-for-teaching