Speaking to DAZN (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Barcelona sporting director Deco insisted that this is not the time to discuss about the future of on-loan forward Joao Felix following the 2-4 defeat to Girona on Sunday night.
The 24-year-old Felix had a fairly quiet outing as Barça succumbed to a big loss at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, which leaves them seven points off the top of the table.
Prior to the game, Barcelona president Joan Laporta had confirmed that the club already have plans in place to sign Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo once the season is over.
Deco, though, was not so committal to the matter when asked about the plans to sign Joao Felix permanently after the defeat.
“First we have to win the games, it’s not over or 2023, we know what we have to do and we are more concerned about the day to day. We are happy with Joao Félix, but it’s not the right time,” Deco stated.
Deco on Girona defeat
Discussing the defeat to Girona at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Deco insisted that Barcelona were not good enough on the night.
“We didn’t play a good game, we weren’t convincing and that took its toll on us,” the Barça sporting director said.
“We started well, but we didn’t score, they scored first and we weren’t strong enough to win the game. They have quality, they know what they have to play for, we tried, but we weren’t able to,” Deco added.
On what the loss meant for the Catalans in the title race, Deco insisted that there is still a lot of time left in the season.
“We have to fight, nothing has been decided, the league is long, but it was an important game against a direct rival that we couldn’t win.”