Luis Enrique: "That wasn't a game of football"

05/01/2012

The coach's comments from the Stadio Bentegodi after the match against Chievo:
"Unfortunately we didn't see a real game of football today with all the rain; it was more like water polo. Both sides did their best to win it, within the limits of what was possible in conditions like this. The point is of no use to us because we needed to win but it was really difficult on such a heavy pitch.
"Pjanic? Leaving him out was a technical decision but he's an important player and I rate him very highly. He also had a little niggle and with the state of the pitch it's a good job he didn't play.
"What disappointed me most about the team? I have nothing to criticise my players for today; over the course of the season we've been inconsistent and we know that. As for getting close to third place, we've always concentrated on one game at a time: we've had a few good performances and three or four times we've had the chance to get to third but each time we messed up and missed the train. And that annoys us just as much as it does the fans. In any case, the numbers don't lie; we've clearly lacked something over the season.
"I've tried to work not only on the attacking side of the game, which is the part I enjoy most, but also on the defensive side. And that's where we have to improve if we want to be more aggressive.
"De Rossi's best position? He's without doubt a deep-lying playmaker, not even a central midfielder. But if needed he can do a job in other roles.
"Does all the rain - here after Catania - make me want to go back to Spain? That's funny because it rains in Spain too. My future? You'll have to wait until the end of the season."