BARCELONA --- Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen said Barcelona need to focus on football and forget about the off-field turmoil of recent weeks.
The German spoke to ESPN FC in the mixed zone following the Blaugrana's 5-0 win over Elche in the Copa del Rey:
"For me it's possible to forget [off-the-pitch matters]. I think that's important for the team as well," he said. "We have to play football, not concentrate on other things. We won the match, need to keep working hard -- I'm happy with the situation [tonight]."
With Andoni Zubizarreta sacked as director of football, reports of fallouts between Lionel Messi and Luis Enrique, and the announcement of presidential elections all occurring within the same week, there has been a particularly intense spotlight on the Camp Nou from the world's press over the last few days. The stopper says he was already well aware of how heavy the media focus is on the club.
"I know all about it," he said. "This club is really big, and when something happens here it's normal for the whole media to be watching. The scrutiny is really close, and it's very hard sometimes, but it's like that."
Finally, the Barca stopper suggested his own personal ambitions to become the club's number one can wait during the delicate moment.
"I have to show I'm the best goalkeeper here at Barca, but the coach has to decide. Now isn't the time to talk about me, it's time to talk about the team, that's important."
Neymar declined to talk about internal Barcelona issues in an interview with reporters after the match.
"I won't speak about what happens in the dressing room. I'm very happy about the result, we all had a great match," he said. "With the goals we scored, we took a step forward. I'm happy for Messi, [Luis] Suarez and I. We should repeat [these exploits] against Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
"I repeat, I don't like to discuss what happens in the dressing room. They are private things."
Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu said the team must show unity to be successful as they approach the latter stages of the Copa del Rey.
"We have one foot in the quarterfinals. The fans enjoyed themselves, and it was a typical Copa del Rey match," he told reporters after the game. "The team played like they always have and showed they were prepared to fight and motivated. It was a midweek game and a cold night, but everyone tried their best.
"We must come together and support each other. If we can do that, we'll be successful. The Barca's socios are very strong when they're united. I hope we remain responsible and that our union makes us stronger."