Ter Stegen: Xavi Asked Us For More Intensity Against Elche

Written by Patrick Echatah

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen said that Xavi asked his players for more intensity in the second half of Sunday’s 2-1 win over Elche.

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Xavi’s side went in a goal down at half-time but hit back in the second 45 minutes through goals from substitutes Ferran Torres and Memphis Depay.

Ter Stegen spoke about the match after the full-time whistle and explained how the coach had tried to turn things around.

“I haven’t had much to do. It was a game we suffered and fought, but I’m super happy for the three points. They try to have one or two chances to win and in the end I try to stay focused and wait for those balls to come to me,” he said.

“Xavi asked us to improve the intensity in the middle of the half. The man-to-man marking that they did to us all over the field did not help our game. We looked for other things in the second half and it worked out well for us. Congratulations to all the team.”

La Blaugrana’s winner came from a penalty from Memphis Depay after a handball in the area, while Elche were denied a spot-kick at the other end late on in the game.

Ter Stegen spoke about Elche’s penalty shout and felt the referee was right to wave the appeals away from the hosts.

“Handballs in the area can always be discussed a lot,” he added.

“I haven’t seen it on TV, but it seems to me that Alba turns and isn’t looking or knows where the arm. We can’t take our shoulders off when we’re in the area. The referee decided and decided well.”

Ter Stegen had something of a mixed match for Barcelona. The German might have done better for Elche’s goal but did produce a couple of excellent saves in the second half.

Meanwhile…

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez admitted he was angry at half-time after seeing La Blaugrana go behind at Elche but was still optimistic his team could produce a comeback and take all three points.

The Spanish tactician wasn’t wrong either as substitutes Ferran Torres and Memphis Depay scored to take the Catalans into third place in the table.

Here’s what the Barcelona boss had to say after the full-time whistle.

“I was angry at halftime because we didn’t deserve to be behind after what we had created. (Elche goalkeeper) Edgar was brilliant. I was annoyed, angry.

“But I was hopeful that if we attacked better, we would win. That’s what I told the players. I made a positional change (Ferran on) and it worked well for us.

(barcablaugranes)

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