Alaves manager in awe of Barcelona rising star – ‘He is going to mark an era’

Barcelona dropped three points during their last La Liga outing and were lucky that Real Madrid could not capitalise on their slip-up.

Looking ahead to the team’s clash against Deportivo Alaves on Sunday, the Catalans still have a three-point lead at the top of the table and are back to winning ways after a thumping win in the UEFA Champions League.

The clash between Barcelona and Alaves tomorrow will be at Estadio Mendizorroza and will be the team’s final game before the international break.

Speaking to the media in his pre-match press conference ahead of his team’s clash against Barcelona tomorrow, Alaves manager Luis Garcia Plaza gave his honest thoughts on the Catalan team, their performance so far and certain players who have stood out.

He began by praising Hansi Flick’s side for their strong start to the season and called them ‘brave’, as he said:

“Barcelona have won all but one game and they are amazing me. They are brave and I like them a lot.”

“They have very good players but we always compete against them,” he added.

The coach gave his two cents on Lamine Yamal and the exceptional quality the youngster possesses at 17 years of age.

“He is superlative, more so given his. He is going to mark an era. Right now he floats in the field, does everything and does it well. He is also very young and has a big future ahead of him,” Luis Garcia stated.

When asked how his side were prepared for the game against the league leaders, however, he showed no fear and stated that his side feared none.

“We can look at anyone in the eyes. If we lose, at least we will have passed the two bugs, Madrid and Barça,” he said.

The manager was then reminded that Barcelona lost to Osasuna last weekend but refused to read too much into the result, as he said:

“It’s just that Osasuna played a great game and they didn’t have their best afternoon. To win you have to score two or three goals because it is very difficult not to be scored.”

“We have to be very good in defence but also circulate the ball well and play at a high level in attack. If you’re defending all the time, it’s clear that they beat you,” he added.

When asked which Barcelona players stand out to him this season, Luis Garcia named three forwards who have been on fire for the team.

“Lamine, Raphinha or Lewandowski are at a great level,” he stated.

The manager then explained how his side would take inspiration from the two teams who managed to bother the Catalans this season, saying:

“I look at the clash against Osasuna, who knew how to get ahead and can serve as a mirror for us. Also the match against Rayo, who played well until the end.”

Luis Garcia then admitted that he watched the Blaugranas’ game against Young Boys midweek in the UEFA Champions League but also explained the mistakes they made against Barcelona.

“It’s just that with the 3-0 I turned off the TV. The Young Boys did not pass the centre of the field and it is better not to see him so as not to suffer,” the Alaves boss remarked.

“If they beat us because they are better, nothing will happen. Ten points and with the two big ones already passed on the calendar,” he added.

Source: AS