Erik ten Hag reveals his half-time team talk in Barcelona comeback
‘I emphasised the belief’: Erik ten Hag reveals his half-time team talk that inspired comeback victory over Barcelona, as Man United progress into the last-16 of the Europa League
- Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag revealed what he said during half-time talk
- The Dutchman also made the decision to bring on Antony for Wout Weghorst
- The Red Devils sealed a 2-1 comeback win over Barcelona in the Europa League
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has revealed that he urged his players to believe in themselves at half-time of their 2-1 comeback victory over Barcelona in the Europa League.
Robert Lewandowski gave the Spanish giants the lead in the first-half before Fred and Antony both got themselves on the scoresheet in the second-half to send United through to the last-16 stage of the competition.
The former Ajax manager changed things at half-time as he brought on Brazilian winger Antony to replace Wout Weghorst.
His decision to make the switch coupled with his team talk proved to be a stroke of genius as they pulled off a comeback win as they won 4-3 on aggregate in the play-off round tie.
The boss revealed exactly what he said to his players during the half-time break and his message was very simple.
Man United pulled off a 2-1 comeback victory over Barcelona to progress in the Europa League
Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag has revealed what he said to his players during half-time team talk
‘I emphasised the belief,’ ten Hag said in his post-match press conference. ‘It was too flat first half. We had our spare man, Casemiro we didn’t use enough.
‘Aaron Wan-Bissaka had a lot of space on the right side, we didn’t use enough. I think in the pressing we could be more brave. So that is what we emphasised.
‘The second was to make the sub with Antony who brought more speed in the play and who brings belief on the pitch.’
The Dutchman’s substitutions have had a major impact towards United’s success so far this season, with 19 goals being scored by players coming off the bench in all competitions, that being the most of any team in Europe’s top five leagues.
Brazilian midfielder Fred also re-iterated what ten Hag said to the squad at half-time in his post-match interview.
‘He said in the first half that we didn’t play like how we [normally] play,’ Fred told BT Sport.
‘But in the second half we were much better, we started very well and scored early.
‘We had a good talk in half-time with the coach, we changed our minds at half-time and the second half went very well.’
Brazilian Fred also re-iterated what ten Hag said to the squad in his post-match interview
The boss also hailed his brilliant Brazilians after the match with both Fred and Antony getting on the scoresheet.
‘It was a magnificent night against a team who are the leaders of LaLiga,’ said ten Hag. ‘I want to take this result with us in building belief.
‘I know what Antony can do. He is brave and fearless. What he brought in the second half was what we needed. He dribbled, he scored. He will go for it and when he gets the opportunity. He will strike.
‘Fred has an important role. He had to first stop Frenkie de Jong playing like a mosquito around him and behind him. He did it magnificently in the first leg as well and tonight he scored a goal. It was brilliant.’
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