Sergi Darder, Takuma Asano, Verat Muriqi and Jagoba Arrasate were on post-match media duties after our 2-1 win against RCD Espanyol. Find out what the trio had to say about the win below.
Sergi Darder:
On the match: ‘I can't deny the joy I feel for getting to 40 points. This joy with all our fans, a great match from the team. With a second half where we deserved to score more goals. That's football, today we got this joy at the last moment and I'm very happy.’
On the penalty: ‘In the end, every penalty is reviewed. When you see that more than thirty seconds or a minute has gone by and the referee still has his hand to his ear, it's because he knows that something is wrong. These are situations in which, if the rule applies equally to everyone, then so be it.’
On the change in attitude: ‘I think it was a first half in which we knew that RCD Espanyol are a very dangerous team, I think that knowing that they had such a strong virtue made us protect ourselves a bit more: we always lacked players, we didn't go with them as much to protect ourselves. In the end, when you find yourself behind on the scoreboard, all you have to do is go for it and I think that was the key. We know that if we compete at our maximum level we are very strong and I think that in the second half, after the goal, we showed that we are a spectacular team, with the ambition to have a great season. We are on our way to achieving it.’
On the assist for the goal: ‘I think it was a good cross, a good finish. Oy, in this position, I knew that Omar wouldn't come out so much to protect Mojica. We knew the game plan: this cross at the back post could do some damage. The first half was more difficult for me because I didn't receive the ball in this area, but in the second half it went quite well and I was able to put in some good crosses.’
On 40 points: ‘I think the first objective is practically achieved. Obviously, it's not mathematical, but when you're 4 points ahead, salvation is practically sealed. We should all congratulate ourselves, not just the players, but everyone. We probably don't value it enough today, but to be saved for a year in the first division so comfortably is a very difficult thing to do. Now it's time to dream, with humility, but believing that we can have a good season.'
Takuma Asano:
On the game: ‘Today's game was difficult at the beginning, but in the last few minutes, I think we played very well. We knew we could win today, it was very important, so I'm happy.’
On the change in attitude: ‘When we fell behind on the scoreboard, we didn't give up, we kept trying. Most of the game was difficult, but we kept going and played well.’
On the first goal: ‘I'm happy to have scored and to have won today.’
Vedat Muriqi:
On the goal: ‘I'm not going to take the credit, with a lot of responsibility, I wanted to do it myself after the own goal and missing the penalty. At that moment I thought that, up to that point, I had to take responsibility for that penalty, score a goal and celebrate the 40 points. And that's how it went. I knew that the goalkeeper is having a great season, he is a good penalty taker. The only thing I could do was there, high, up high, although there is also a risk in that. In the end it went the way I wanted it to. I'm very happy with the team, above all, we fought hard and we deserved all the good things we got today. Going into the break with 40 points, nobody is going to take those points away from us, so we're very happy and we'll keep on adding to our tally.’
On equalling last season's seven goals: ‘I never put limits on myself. I like to do well for the team, whether it's fighting, defending - although I scored one of my own today - goals don't matter that much to me. Even though I'm a striker, I need to score goals. I've already scored seven, there are ten more games to go, hopefully more chances. I think that if I score more goals, this team will be able to dream more. I hope I can help my team-mates more.’
On the match: ‘It means that we have a great team, with responsibility, a fighter. That, although we are behind and at a disadvantage, we get what we want, even if it's a penalty. That's a mirror, the team is working very well every week, before the matches, and is analysing the opponents well. We've now had three games in a row where we're already maintaining the level of the first half. I'm happy for the team, now it's time for us to rest and then we'll have to get some points in the next games. Let's keep dreaming.’
Jagoba Arrasate:
On the game: ‘It's a game where little happened in the first half and the second half started in the worst possible way, with an own goal. But then the team had personality, helped by the fans, and we were able to equalise. And a lot of suspense, with the penalties, but a happy ending and a great joy to be able to celebrate the 40 points with our fans.’
On the attitude change: ‘Sometimes, when you're drawing, you're more restrained. But when you're losing you have, quote unquote, nothing to lose and you have to go for it. I think that was the key today, that the team had personality. I think we had a lot of patience, which is not easy in those moments, and to come back from behind in the first division is complicated and today we managed to do it.’
On the missed chances: ‘It seemed like it wasn't the day, but you have to persist, you have to insist and that's good. They have a great goalkeeper, too. But we got a great win.’
On Muriqi's goal: ‘I think it shows a little bit what Muriqi is. He can miss a penalty, but that's not going to undermine him, he believes in his chances and he's going to make that decision of an important player in a team. And look, he took it perfectly and I'm happy for him too.’
On 40 points: ‘When you draw games, the important thing is what happens afterwards. And, after those draws, if what comes after is a win, it's like everything makes more sense and everything is better. I'm delighted to be six weeks adding up, which I think is the important thing, and above all, I'm delighted because we've already put four points in front of us.’