The Brazilian insisted today that Barça don’t need to change their style of play if they come up against defensive teams like Celtic, but that they should: “just make sure Plan A works better”.
Alves believes the Balon de Oro has no meaning whilst Messi continues to play: “you have to change the format whilst he’s on the scene”
The Brazilian admitted: “I’m not happy with how I am playing, but I am working hard to improve my fitness and get back to my best”.
Dani Alves spoke freely to the media at today’s press conference at the Ciutat Esportiva and started with the defeat against Celtic, insisting: “whenever we fail to win, the debate starts about whether we need a Plan B, but that makes no sense here, because we have our philosophy and our way of playing the game”, reminding reporters: “they tried to bring in a big striker a few seasons ago, but though there might be plenty of quality players around, very few fit Barça’s style of play. The solution is just make sure Plan A works better!”.
“I’m not happy with my form”
After his injury against Madrid, Alves was out for most of October, making his comeback against Alaves in the Cup, but he made it clear that he’s still not back to his very best: “I’m not happy with my form. I’m working hard to get back to my best fitness levels”, whilst insisting that final judgements shouldn’t be made till the end of the season.
Alves refused to be drawn into discussing whether he or Montoya should be in the starting line up: “nobody said I would always play when they signed me”, claiming that this was just a media created issue, just like the alleged bad feelings between Villa and Messi: “there is no sense in these discussions about the relationship between the two of them”.
“It hurts to concede a goal”
Alves also refused to accept that the goals the team have conceded so far represent a big problem: “teams weren’t scoring against us before – it was us who were scoring, but despite the goals we’ve conceded, we are taking the points. Of course we want to win and keep clean sheets – it hurts to let one in!”.