Barca confidence unaffected by fans’ frustration, says Setien

Coach Quique Setien asserted Barcelona’s confidence was not dented despite their hard-fought 1-0 victory against a lowly Real Sociedad on Saturday.

Messi was once again the rescue man for Barcelona as he extended his goal tally to 24 in the current season with a penalty to save them blushes after a disappointing loss against arch-rivals Real Madrid last week.

Jordi Alba responded to the fans’ growing dissatisfaction by putting his fingers into his ears, pretending to shut out boos, when celebrating the lone goal of the match.

“We have not lost confidence in what we are doing,” said Setien.

“The fans sometimes don’t expect the opposition to restrict you but you have to take into account that Real Sociedad are a great team.”

On his own reaction, Alba said: “I respect the fans but the fans have to respect me. Nobody likes to be whistled, and even less after 15 minutes at 0-0.”

Real’s Clasico victory at the Santiago Bernabeu put the pressure back on Barcelona, whose response was hardly resounding, with Setien’s side ultimately reliant on VAR to spot a handball in the 81st minute from Robin Le Normand.

The lack of appeal and the chunk of play that passed before VAR intervened made the decision all the more surprising and la Real’s players were still shaking their heads at the final whistle.

Yet the win was all-important for the Catalans at the end of another week dominated by headlines surrounding problems off the pitch.

Setien said he had apologised to the squad after his assistant Eder Sarabia was recorded launching into a number of foul-mouthed rants against his own players during the game against Madrid, even if there were chants in support of Sarabia before kick-off.

“When the club is in a moment of weakness, these kinds of things come out,” said Gerard Pique.

“It’s normal for an assistant coach, with the adrenaline high, to express himself. We see it as normal.”

Barcelona created a handful of openings during the first half and Martin Braithwaite, making his first start, was at the heart of most of them, with his willingness to run in behind offering a good alternative in attack.

Twice Messi sent Braithwaite free early on but his lung-busting runs ended in tame shots. When he did hit one into the net, he was pulled back for offside.

Messi created a chance of his own by hunting the ball down in the corner before retrieving a chipped Sergio Busquets pass, only to scuff the finish.

The chances came more frequently in the second half as Barca turned the screw. Messi slid one past the post and then sliced another over from Antoine Griezmann’s cushioned header.

Ivan Rakitic’s drive was parried, Pique’s header too straight and Alba’s ball across the face of goal just too far ahead of the diving Rakitic.

As chances went begging, la Real sensed an opportunity. Nacho Monreal flashed wide and Alexander Isak hammered over.

But just as the tension was growing, Barcelona were leant a helping hand, with VAR reviewing a handball from Le Normand and referee Juan Martinez Munuera persuaded to point to the spot. Messi made no mistake.

Atletico Madrid will hope for a tighter contest against Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday than their frantic 2-2 draw earlier on Saturday against Sevilla.

Joao Felix looked as sharp at the Wanda Metropolitano as he has done all season and completed a four-minute comeback for Atletico after Alvaro Morata’s penalty cancelled out Luuk de Jong’s opener for Sevilla.

But Lucas Ocampos levelled with another penalty at the end of a pulsating first half, again with the help of VAR after a foul by Kieran Trippier, who took treatment after a heavy challenge from Nemanja Gudelj in the second half.

Trippier was able to finish the game and coach Diego Simeone insisted afterwards his discomfort was due to cramp.

The draw will be more gratefully received by Sevilla, who sit third in La Liga and two points ahead of Atletico, who stay fifth after missing an opportunity to close the gap.

Agencies