Luis Enrique: Barcelona should have beaten Roma in Champions League
Thursday 17 September 2015 08:57, UK
Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique felt his side 'deserved to win' after a 1-1 draw with Roma in their Champions League opener.
A wonder goal by Roma's Alessandro Florenzi cancelled out Luis Suarez's 21st-minute strike and Barca could not retake the lead at the Stadio Olimpico.
Lionel Messi went closest when he struck the bar but the defending champions eventually had to settle for a point.
"We had the game under control and I believe a different result to this would have been fairer," said Enrique. "I think we played well. We created a lot of chances to score considering we were up against a team that keeps it so tight at the back.
"There will always be things to improve, but I thought it was a fine all-round performance and we deserved to win.
"We did everything we could to win the game, but Roma were more effective. They did very well in defence and took their 'non-chance' to snatch an equaliser."
The result in the Italian capital ended Barca's perfect start to the new season, with the Catalan giants having won their opening three La Liga games.
Enrique, who coached Roma in the 2011-12 campaign, was surprised by the approach to the game of the hosts.
"I expected a more attacking team but instead they chose a different approach and it worked well for them," he said. "They did play a good game."
Roma coach Rudi Garcia, though, applauded his players and said they played a 'tactically smart' game against the Spanish champions.
"It's a huge result for us to draw with Barcelona and it will really boost our confidence," he said. "We were tactically smart, we knew that against Barcelona you have to work hard and defend stoically.
"We could have done better in holding possession and being more dangerous on the counter, but I am satisfied. My players responded well and did what we had prepared."
Roma equalised in stunning style as Florenzi drilled a right-footed shot from just over the halfway line and the ball cannoned into the back of the net off the post to beat Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
"It's not something that happens to you every day," the Italian defender said. "Watching it back on video, I am getting emotional.
"I just thought I would give it a go and see what happens. We climbed Everest and stopped the strongest team in the world. We fought it out until the end."
