Racing manager admits Barcelona “tore us apart” after brutal 7-2 defeat: ‘They wanted to crush us’

Jose Alberto Lopez had little choice but to acknowledge Barcelona’s superiority after Racing Santander were beaten 7-2 at Camp Nou, with the Racing manager particularly unhappy with his side’s defensive display.

Racing struggled to contain Barcelona’s attack throughout the contest, conceding seven goals and giving away three penalties. Lopez admitted his players simply did not produce the required level of competitiveness.

“I don’t think it was our best day. We lacked the necessary competitiveness, especially defensively, because we gave away too many opportunities, as evidenced by the three penalties.

“You can’t concede seven goals and give up countless corners; we need to be a much more disciplined team.”

Barcelona kept pulling away

Racing did manage to threaten Barcelona at different stages, but every time the visitors appeared capable of reducing the deficit, Flick’s side responded.

Asked whether Barça are currently unstoppable, Lopez pointed to their ability to immediately raise their level whenever Racing began causing problems.

Racing Club gave away three penalties against Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

“Every time we looked set to close the gap and started to cause them problems, they stepped up a gear and pulled away on the scoreboard.

“They’re a team that’s currently brimming with confidence, one that punishes you severely and is very difficult to stop.”

The Racing boss also refused to suggest Barcelona have no serious competition in La Liga, highlighting both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

“I see some great rivals in La Liga; obviously, Real Madrid are a top-class side who are also in excellent form, and Atletico are a competitive side who are building their squad and will certainly be up there.

“They will face competition, but what’s clear is that Barça have been performing at an impressive level in every match since the La Liga season began.

“The challenge for them will be to maintain that form when the Champions League kicks off and they’re playing three matches a week.”

Lopez struggles to pick one Barcelona star

Barcelona ended up scoring seven goals against Racing. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

During the post-match briefing, he was asked which Barcelona player was hardest to stop, and Lopez refused to isolate one individual, instead praising the depth of Flick’s squad.

“If I named just one, it would be unfair because I think they’re all performing at an impressive level.

“Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Adeyemi, Pedri, Rodri, Dani Olmo… Absolutely all of them. Cancelo, I think, has been in very good form; he’d been playing fewer minutes but today he came on and scored one or two goals.”

Summing up the experience, Lopez compared the trip to an unpleasant but unavoidable appointment.

“We knew the visit was going to be tough. It was the day you’d go to the dentist, and it hurts. They protested the four minutes of added time; they wanted to crush us. 

“Barça pressed us very well after losing possession, and from then on, they tore us apart,” the coach concluded.

Source: AS