Barca fell to a 2-0 loss in the first leg of their Champions League Last 16 clash at Milan, and now face Sevilla at home on Saturday night.
Inevitably in his pre-match Press conference, the first round of questions centred once more on what went wrong at San Siro.
“I always say that there is a difference between the major competitions. This is a new competition, the League is very important and is the competition that we are focused on,” countered Roura today.
“We need to recover our form. Xavi said we didn’t compete well? I will answer this but then we need to move on.
“Xavi said that and I respect it, during certain times we lacked consistency, but talking of this issue is over. Of Milan we will talk at the return leg. I do not want to talk now about the Milan game.
“Nor will I talk about the game against Real Madrid. I want to focus on tomorrow’s game. We intend to play against Sevilla with a few chances, but I am sure we will have a competitive team.
“What is certain is that from an unfavourable result you must compete better. Whatever the situation, we always go to the end with maximum intensity. So on Saturday there will be no exception.”
Roura was asked if the players were affected by the midweek defeat.
“It’s normal to be upset. They are sad, there has been an unfavourable outcome. There has been self-criticism of the club and it is done. It is logical and normal. In this sense, I still say what we have said before. We will lose more, but what is important is the reaction that the team has. This team always moves forward and has always responded well.
“Usually we do not lose two straight games. Usually after a bad result we always come out with maximum intensity. This is football. We are confident players. Hopefully we will be in good shape tomorrow.”
The assistant Coach is acting in Tito Vilanova’s continued absence during his treatment against illness.
“The absence of Tito is always noticeable. All I try to do is minimise it. We always note that he is not here. We would like him to be here when things are good and when he is well.”
The club can welcome back Eric Abidal into first-team consideration, after he was given a final green light to resume his playing career this week.
“The news of Abidal is extraordinary. For him, for the club, his return to playing is extraordinary. And at a sporting level it is great news.
“After what has happened the medical clearance is fantastic. Hopefully soon he will be at a competitive level. I believe that this process will be long as it is not a common injury he is returning from.”