Robert Fernandez criticises the press; praises Lionel Messi

Robert Fernandez criticises the press; praises Lionel Messi

Robert Fernández, en una imagen de archivo
Robert Fernández, en una imagen de archivo | sport

The sporting director looked back on a difficult summer for Barça

However, he's happy to still have Leo Messi and Andres Iniesta on board

Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernández spoke to Movistar after Barcelona's win over Espanyol, lauding Messi, criticising the press and saying he's optmisitc about Andres Iniesta signing a new contract. 

Thrashing Espanyol: We've started [the season] well, but you have to continue and you will end up where you deserve to be. 

Messi: He's come back from international duty, after a lot of travel and two tough games... He is capable of changing a game at any moment and the difficult thing he manages is to maintain that rhythm.

Messi's renewal: I point to our president's words. [The signing] is an act which could happen at any moment. I hope it's soon. 

Suárez: It was important for him to score. He gave everything, but it's always important to be able to score. 

Dembélé: It's not easy for a 20-year-old [to make Barça debut]. It's always good to get out on the pitch, though. He did well and the result will also help. And his team-mates will also help. We hope for a lot from him.  

Iniesta: What we want is that Andres is here for many more years and that he ends his career here. I'm convinced that will happen. 

‘Bartomeu resign’ chants: We have had a difficult month. The most important thing in these moments is to remain calm. In complicated situations, with the summer we've had, calm is necessary. If we let time pass a little, we will see things differently. We respect all opinions, but the last two, three weeks have been complicated. The people that have had to explain things have not done it well. That includes me, among others, but also the media. And there are things which aren't true. News has come out which isn't real and these things do damage and create unpleasant situations. 

Real Madrid's dropped points: It's a difficult competition and last season we lost against Alaves at home. Sometimes these things happen to you; other times to your rivals. It's important to start well.