Baraja: “The team gave off a different feeling despite the result"

Assessment of the match

I'll stick with the positives: I don't think we were playing too far back or defending in our area. We had a serious game, with hard work, with intensity... The feeling I had is of an important change at a defensive level with respect to the game in Vigo. We were not able to have that fast break on counterattacks and generate things in attack, but I'll take away the positives and from there grow and make my team see that, if we compete like this, the feelings is different despite the result.

Trying to sign a midfielder

I'm not going to talk to you about the transfer market today. There's still tomorrow and the day after in which it's open. Whatever is decided will be explained in due time.

Finding a solution

It's three games, zero points. We have to accept that we are in a difficult situation. We have to withstand the pressure. We are at a very big club, where everything is magnified. I understand that the fans are worried, but we have to stay calm. When there are difficulties you have to hold on to the positives and I'll stick with that. If you want, we can do the opposite and destroy everything in three games. That's not my idea. The team gave off a different feeling today, so we have to work, raise our heads, not look for excuses and prepare for the next game.

Improvement in the second half

There were times when we were a bit split up. Athletic are a very aggressive team, so you have to try to fill the area… We tried to get there in the second half with André coming on, we improved without having much clarity in attack and we have to improve that; we have to be able to threaten the opposition. We lacked clarity in our arrivals into the area to generate more danger. We just have to work, lift our heads and try to build from what we believe is good for the team.

Handling key moments of pressure

The opposition press and create situations. It was a magnificent header, a second-line entry, we didn't deal with it well and they scored. These are things that can happen, Athletic have quality and is difficult to beat them away from home. The way to get back up is not to complain, it's hard work and little else. Conceding in the final moments of the first half always annoys you, but the only formula I know is to work to improve.

Late substitutions

We were doing well. We started the second half well, André gave us a step forward to combine a bit more. The team were doing well, we had options and I didn't see Athletic outperforming us in terms of chances and play. We didn't have the continuity to get into spaces, because they press you with a lot of aggression. You have to give credit to the consistency and aggressiveness of Athletic Club. The opposing team also play and create difficulties. We are self-critical about what we can improve and we will try to build from there.