Football
Adriana Garcia 7y

Barcelona must 'improve certain aspects' ahead of Clasico - Eusebio

Real Sociedad coach Eusebio has warned Barcelona they have "a long way to go" ahead of the Clasico meeting with Real Madrid on Saturday.

Barca were fortunate to escape with a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad on Sunday in a game that the hosts dominated. Lionel Messi cancelled out Willian Jose's opener but La Real should have gone back in front in the 76th minute when Juanmi scored. The goal was disallowed for offside, although video replay showed it should have been allowed.

Eusebio, 52, a former Spain international who played seven seasons with the Catalan outfit and was part of Johan Cruyff's "Dream Team," told Cadena Ser radio: "We were superior to Barcelona in many facets of the game. We knew it was going to be very difficult but we played a complete game. We could have won although a draw against Barca is still a good result.

"There is still a long way to go for them. They have great players, with a lot of experience and a great mentality. But they need to improve on certain aspects of the game."

The outcome in San Sebastian left Barca six points adrift of La Liga leaders Real Madrid, who are on a 31-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Eusebio has seen a change in Barca's play lately.

"Barca have been playing for a long time in a certain way," he said. "They dominate games, they have the control. But it's true that recently they are adapting to the characteristics of their players.

"They have key players up front and they have realised that by releasing some of that control to their opponents they can still be very dangerous. They have gone through this evolution of not having as much possession as before but still being lethal on the counter attacks. If you lose the ball, Barca will hurt you.

"However, while on that path, Barca may come across a team that like us, is organised and does not give the ball away too much. If they don't have every player committed on defence, they can struggle.

"Our virtue was that we didn't turn the ball over much, that we were well positioned on the pitch and we pressed them. There are very few teams that manage to do that against Barca and that is why I'm very proud."

Eusebio also believes that Barca's summer reinforcements like Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez have yet to adapt.

"Those players need time," he said. "It's a process and they have to improve on that."

In his playing days with Barcelona, Eusebio was outstanding. He celebrated a Cup Winners' Cup triumph over Sampdoria in 1989 and then four consecutive La Liga titles between 1991-94 as well as the club's first European Cup in 1992.

Eusebio says that teachings of the late Cruyff have been invaluable to his coaching methodology.

"Since I had Cruyff as a coach and he taught us several football concepts, I've tried to use them," he said.

The 52-year-old managed Celta in the 2009-10 campaign before returning to Barca to coach the B team following Luis Enrique's departure and enjoyed success in his first three seasons in charge before being dismissed in February 2015 after a poor run of results.

"I worked there for four good seasons, I developed this methodology," he said. "I saw that at the Barca B team it worked, and it was clear to me that in a top-flight side, with good quality and experienced players, this was going to work well."

Under Eusebio, who replaced David Moyes at the helm of La Real a year ago, the club have won seven, including a 2-0 home win over Atletico Madrid, and lost four of their 13 league games this season and are fifth in the standings.

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