adminMADRID. — Despite Barcelona’s exit from the Champions League soccer at the quarter-final stage, coach Luis Enrique said their victory over Sevilla in the King’s Cup on Sunday night had capped a “fantastic” season.
Spanish top flight champions Barcelona beat Sevilla 2-0 after extra-time, thanks to goals from Jordi Alba and Neymar, playing nearly 90 minutes with 10 men after Javier Mascherano’s red card.
“It was a spectacular end to the season,” he told a news conference. Asked to sum up the season in one word, he replied. “Fantastic.”
“This team is made of champions. We must be proud of these players,” he added. “When the team had to defend, we were able to close the gaps, compete and play football. It’s time to enjoy it.”
By defending their King’s Cup trophy, Barcelona won a seventh title from nine competitions under Luis Enrique.
As well last season’s league, King’s Cup and Champions League treble, they won the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup with him at the helm.
“The truth is I’ve always fallen on my feet here,” said Luis Enrique, who was serenaded by fans at the end of the final at the Vicente Calderon.
“I feel like just another Catalan, although I am 1 000 percent from Gijon and an Asturian. I can’t feel more valued and loved. That’s since I signed here in 1996.”
Sevilla coach Unai Emery was proud of his players too, highlighting the fact that their Europa League win on Wednesday had given them less time to prepare for the game.
“In the second half we had two good chances,” he said.
“If we were fresher, in the final quarter of the pitch we would have been able to win the game. I don’t think we lacked luck, and the team has a lot of ambition.
“We lacked freshness, which would have allowed us to respond more (after Barcelona scored).”
Enrique’s La Liga champions had Mascherano sent off in the 36th minute but kept the score at 0-0 before Sevilla had Ever Banega dismissed in added time at the end of 90 minutes.
With both teams down to 10 men, Barcelona began to take control in the extra period and left-back Alba burst down the wing to score in the 97th after a superb chip from Lionel Messi.
Sevilla were then reduced to nine players when defender Daniel Carrico was sent off for dissent late on and Neymar doubled Barcelona’s lead after also being set up by Messi.
It was the 28th time Barca had won the trophy but they had to battle as Unai Emery’s side, who won the Europa League for the third time in a row last week, piled on the pressure.
“It was difficult, especially playing for so long with 10 men against a side like Sevilla,” Alba told Spanish television. “I’m happy to have scored and done the double.
“We couldn’t play the game we wanted but the side showed guts and we did what was needed.”
Barca captain and man of the match Andres Iniesta said the triumph sealed a great season for the club despite some suggesting their Champions League elimination, and thus failure to repeat the treble of 2015-16, spoiled the campaign.
“It was a nice final, intense and exciting,” he said.
“It was a last push for the club to complete a magnificent season. All finals are hard, but this was great, both we and Sevilla played well.” — Reuters.
Online Reporter