Luis Enrique: "It was a good win"

Jaume Marcet / Aida Soriano

Luis Enrique could not hide his delight after seeing his Barça B side record an emphatic 4-1 victory against Villarreal B on Saturday evening and stated afterwards that the team are on course for a good season.

Goals from Marc Muniesa, Jonathan Soriano, Nolito and Rubén Rochina saw the hosts move up to fourth in la Segunda A after the Miniestadi win . "The game went very much how we expected it to against a well-organised team," the Blaugrana coach explained after the triumph. "They have ideas similar to ours and like to see a lot of the ball while maintaining a good defensive shape."

Complete performance
Reflecting on the team's overall display Luis Enrique continued: "We were in control of the game at all times," he explained. "It was a complete performance by our side. Defensively we were good. A team defends as a group, together, and each player had a great defensive attitude and ensured that they looked to help out when we did not have the ball. We were also strong going forward. I think we have to be conscious though that there is a lot of room for improvement."

Good season
The coach was not keen to become carried away with the win and assured: "There have been games that we have played at home, like against Tenerife and Xerez, when we played better football and created better situations. But this is a good win and serves to endorse our home form and means we continue our good season."

B teams
A large crowd also buoyed Luis Enrique as 3,169 attended the match against Villarreal B. "The fans came along and have been able to enjoy watching two of the best young, homegrown teams in Spanish football," he said. "We are the only two B teams in the second division and the supporters watched a very attractive match."

Starting side
Asked about his choice of line-up Luis Enrique explained why he chose to leave Marc Bartra, Jonathan Dos Santos and Nolito out. "It had a lot to do with keeping one eye on the game that the first team will play against Ceuta on Wednesday because Pep (Guardiola) will call up a number of players," he said.

Thiago talent
Thiago Alcántara, who travelled with the first team this weekend, will likely also be involved against Ceuta. "He is a different type of player with a lot of confidence but he does need to play football," Luis Enrique explained. "Thiago has it all to be a special player, but he is not yet there and has a lot to learn and he has to do that. He can produce something special anywhere he plays and in front of one hundred thousand spectators. He has that ability, that quality and that is very important."