UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

Angry Rexach blasts Barça

Coach Carles Rexach was angry after FC Barcelona could only earn a 1-1 home draw with AS Roma.

FC Barcelona coach Carles Rexach cut an angry figure after his side could only earn a 1-1 draw with AS Roma in their UEFA Champions League second group stage match on Wednesday.

Late goal
A late goal from Patrick Kluivert spared Barcelona's blushes at the Camp Nou but could not disguise a sluggish performance by the home side which could easily have led to a priceless away win for Roma. "I am not happy because when you play at home you should win," said Rexach. "We could have earned ourselves a 50% chance of going through to the next phase tonight but we let Roma get ahead of us."

Fighting spirit
The coach was pleased with the way in which his side eventually played themselves out of trouble and defended his positive stance against a Roma side notorious for its defensive guile. "I like to see the team working to turn games around," added Rexach. "We came out to win with Javier Saviola, Patrick Kluivert, Rivaldo and Luis Enrique, but they came out to defend. What we proved tonight is that we did not want to lose and this result will be a positive later because Roma are a top team."

Puyol remains confident
Barcelona's Carles Puyol - whose cross led to Kluivert's goal - shared his coach's frustration but refused to be down-hearted ahead of the return match in Rome next week. "We deserved to win," said the 23-year-old Spaniard. "One point is never enough but I hope we will win in Rome if we play the same way as we did tonight - but maybe with fewer fouls. Our group is a difficult one and we are in first place. We have to be positive because if we carry on like this we'll qualify."

'Forgotten how to play'
Despite an excellent defensive performance which almost earned Roma a vital away point, coach Fabio Capello was slightly disappointed with some of the details of his side's display at the Camp Nou. "In the first half we didn't play with the personality we usually play with and we gave away lots of balls," he said. "In the first half Barcelona committed lots of fouls - they were in trouble playing with us but we seemed to have forgotten how to play football. We were ourselves again in the second half."

Plus points
As he prepared to lead his side into their next Champions League Group B meeting with the Catalan club, Capello was in no doubt that there was plenty of positive points to be taken from Wednesday's performance. "Roma, as a side, have character, quality and are determined so we can beat Barcelona," he said. "This is football - I am not angry about not winning - I am pleased at what we have achieved against a team like Barcelona. The group is difficult for all of us."