Marcelino: "We need to ask more of ourselves, but we had a good second half"

Marcelino gave a frank analysis of his side's performance in the 2-0 win over RCD Mallorca on Matchday 3 of the LaLiga season, expressing satisfaction with the result but asking for more from his side.

"We need to ask more of ourselves. We were below our best in the opening half hour: We were imprecise on the ball and were very spread out in defence. We also reacted late to almost every attack, which led to us making bad decisions. We have to acknowledge this, because that is the starting point for improving it," he said in his post-match press conference.

"After the first half hour -although we had a sporadic spell in which we had the ball before- when we had possession and continuity we created danger. It was difficult to recover the ball, because it was very hot. The goal came from an attack-recovery back and forth situation that went on until the penalty."

"After the goal, which came at an important moment at the end of the first half, we had a good second half. We started very well, and the second goal gave us a confidence boost."

He also commented on the showing by Francis Coquelin, who played a vital role in the win.

"I've been saying that we have three top players in that position, and it might be the most difficult position for me to choose who plays -as well as being where we are most powerful. I try to be fair and pick the players who I consider to be the best at all times, although it is very important to have these three players always available to us," he explained.

"Our most difficult moments last seaso coincided with either one or two of these players being absent."