Van Gaal's call for caution
Tuesday, October 1, 2002
Article summary
Louis van Gaal spoke of the need for focus despite FC Barcelona's 3-1 win against FC Lokomotiv Moskva.
Article body
FC Barcelona coach Louis van Gaal spoke of the need for focus despite watching his side record a convincing 3-1 UEFA Champions League Group H victory over FC Lokomotiv Moskva in the Lokomotiv stadium.
'Lost concentration'
A strikes from Patrick Kluivert and two from Javier Saviola enabled Barcelona to coast into a three-goal lead, but after James Obiorah pulled one back for a spirited home side, Van Gaal said: "The first 20 minutes were very good, then we played even better. But in the second half my team lost their concentration and relaxed - and as a result we conceded a goal. It was a very good performance and now we have nine points, but the next game is very important too."
Obiorah delights
That next game is Lokomotiv's return visit to the Camp Nou on 23 October - and Van Gaal will doubtless be urging his players to keep a closer eye on Obiorah, who scored the game's best goal just before the hour mark. "I was pleasantly surprised by Obiorah," admitted the Dutch coach, who watched the Nigerian striker head the ball over Carles Puyol's head before neatly lobbing goalkeeper Víctor Valdés from wide on the left.
'Superb Barça'
But by that stage, although there was some backs-to-the-wall defending to come later, Barcelona had the game won. Kluivert benefited from a defender's flick before slotting the visitors into the lead and then, as his side began to sparkle, Saviola's header quickly doubled their lead. Shortly after half-time, the diminutive Argentinian scored his second and the goal left Lokomotiv coach Yuri Semin purring. "Barça showed fantastic football," Semin said. "We tried to mirror them and use counter-attacks but we didn't succeed - it was just superb football from Barça."
Semin concedes
However, the Lokomotiv coach was encouraged by his side's performance, their best in this season's competition, and added: "We played at our strength - there were mistakes when Barcelona scored, but I can't say my players didn't fight. It's just that individually every player is better than any of my players."
