Tata Martino: “This title belongs to Tito and the players”

Barcelona (FCB).- FC Barcelona claimed the Spanish Super Cup this Wednesday after the 0-0 draw against Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the competition at the Camp Nou. Neymar’s goal in the first leg at the Calderón (1-1) was enough for Barça to win the first official title of the season. This is Gerardo Tata Martino’s first title as FC Barcelona’s head manager. Gerardo “Tata” Martino won his first title as FC Barcelona’s manager on Wednesday, but just as he said in the pre-match press conference, he reiterated that this title belongs to the players and manager who won the Liga last season. “It’s a final that we featured in because of the good work from last season. I’m here because of a tragedy and therefore we’re champions because of the players, Tito and the coaching staff.”

The Argentine manager then went on to admit that the expectations of winning the title were an added pressure to an already difficult job: “It’s a weight off my back to win this Super Cup. For me, being a new manager, winning wasn’t the same as losing.” He added: “I experienced this competition with a lot of intensity ... everything in football that is good or bad is because of the players and I don’t like to be in the limelight, especially in this Super Cup.”

“We intend to do much more and we want to insist on working for these types of games,” said the manager. Martino is convinced that his players need to improve but he believes that “we’re not doing too badly considering that the season just started.” He added: “We have to have more pace, more precision and attack into space. The goal is to play more like we did in the first 20 minutes, when we were at our quickest.”

Martino also noted that “one of my intentions is regain our pressure but perhaps we can’t do that against teams that close themselves off at the back. We’re looking for the Barça that can regain its ability to play differently depending on what our rivals throw at us.”

The Messi-Neymar duo 

Messi and Neymar featured for the first time together in the starting line-up this Wednesday night and Tata Martino was pleased with their performance: “They played a good game, even though it’s true that they didn’t link-up much. I’m certain, however, that they will find each other on the pitch.”

Barça increased its Super Cup trophy haul advantage over the rest of the teams in Spain on Wednesday night. The Blaugrana have won a total of 11 Super Cup titles, two more than the team with the second most Super Cup crowns, Real Madrid. Deportivo are third with three trophies, while Valencia, Mallorca, Atletico Madrid, Athletic Club Bilbao, Real Sociedad, Zaragoza and Sevilla have won one.