Valverde: The ball was holding up and the pitch was dangerous
The Barça boss was happy with the point in the end
Pique equalised after Gerard's headed opener
Ernesto Valverde was happy to earn a point against Espanyol having seen his Barcelona side fight the conditions to come from behind and extend their unbeaten La Liga run to 22 games this season.
Rain was pouring down as Espanyol hosted Barca in the third Catalan derby in the last three weeks at Cornella-El Prat, this being the first in the league.
By the second half, the pitch was full of puddles and it had become a struggle for the ball to roll properly.
“It was difficult because as the game progressed you could play less and less,” Valverde said in his press conference after the game.
“We had to adapt to the circumstances. In the second half, with the rain, the ball was holding up and the pitch was dangerous. Keeping in mind our style, it was tough to adapt.
“It’s an important point. It’s a derby and you don’t want to lose. We fought well and came back to get the draw, which we give a lot of value to.”
Barca now face Valencia in the Copa del Rey semifinal second leg, which they go into with a 1-0 lead.
