Alba reacts to Elche win: Barcelona have to be more united than ever

Alba reacts to Elche win: Barcelona have to be more united than ever

| sport

The left-back was happy to get back to winning ways on Wednesday at Camp Nou

The author of Barcelona's third goal, Jordi Alba, and the creator of two assists, Martin Braithwaite spoke to the media after the 3-0 win over Elche on Wednesday.

Lionel Messi also scored twice as Barça made it 13 games unbeaten in La Liga and bounced back from the disappointment of drawing with Cadiz at the weekend.

"It helps lift the mood," Alba said. "The draw the other day was a big blow for the whole team. If we're not at 100 percent, we struggle to win. The other day we struggled and in the first half today, too. I think we were better in the second half and the goals arrived in the end.

"The first goal gave us a safety net and that generated more space. We didn't have loads of clear chances today but the ones we did have we took. Leo's two goals gave us peace of mind. Happy with the game, it was difficult; now we have to keep improving and winning matches." 

Coach Ronald Koeman commented on Tuesday that the veterans in the team needed to take a step forward to helpe revive Barça's season.

"The energy is always there and, as the boss says, we (the older players) have to help the youngsters feel more comfortable," Alba said.

"But the desire of the younger players and those that have been here for longer has always been there. We have to fight until the last minute to make the fans happy. There have been some difficult moments but now we have to be more united than ever."

And can the team still fight for the title after moving within five points of leaders Atletico Madrid (who have a game in hand)?

Alba said: The league's on, we've always said that. On the outside, we're out of the title race one week and then back in it the next. But we know that we depend on ourselves to be able to fight for the top spot. The other teams will slip up as we have and whoever makes the fewest mistakes will have the best chance of winning such a competitive league."  

Striker Braithwaite, who set up Messi's first goal and Alba's striker, added: "It was really important to win this game, we weren't happy with previous results. In the second half we were more fluid."

The Danish international, on his two assists, said "it's not the first time I setup two goals and it won't be the last, either."

NEW FC BARCELONA PODCAST IN ENGLISH

Topics with the letter