Ernesto Valverde to Barcelona's critics: I'm not going to 'apologise for winning'

Ernesto Valverde to Barcelona's critics: I'm not going to 'apologise for winning'

BARCELONA -- Ernesto Valverde says he won't "apologise for winning" as he continues to deal with complaints about Barcelona's style of play despite leading his side on a 16-game unbeaten run.

Two goals from Paco Alcacer to the dramatic backdrop of thunder and lighting at Camp Nou on Saturday helped Barca beat Sevilla 2-1, restoring their four-point lead over Valencia at the top of La Liga in the process.

However, after the game, Valverde was asked if he agreed that Barca's results -- 10 wins and a draw from 11 games in the league -- have been much better than their performances this season.

"Generally, results come through the way you play," he said in a news conference. "First of all, you have to try to win, but we try to do that though dominating games, through high pressure and through winning the ball back. What we're not going to do is apologise for winning.

"At the moment we are top of the league, we're not dropping points and we go into the international break in good spirits. We have a difficult schedule ahead of us and to continue where we are then we have to be strong."

Lionel Messi made his 600th Barcelona appearance against Sevilla but he was upstaged by forgotten man Alcacer, who scored twice on his first La Liga start since August.

Alcacer started the first game of the season against Real Betis and came on as a substitute the following week at Alaves but had played just seven minutes in the league since then going into Saturday's match.

"Strikers live for goals," a delighted Alcacer told BeIN Spain after the game. "I started [at Barca] on a bad run but in the end the goals have gone in.

"I had to keep working hard and waiting for an opportunity [in the first team]. We all have to take advantage of the opportunities the coach gives us. I'm happy with my goals but more so for the result.

"More than my performance, we have to emphasise that the team fought really hard. Games that you suffer in, like this one, always boost the team. It's good that we're all plugged in."