Maybe it took a Champions League exit, an El Clasico deafeat and a thumping by Villareal for Barcelona to wake up to the realization that it was all slipping out of their hands very quickly and very easily. Barcelona had maintained and held on to a very healthy lead of nine points for the majority of the season until they hit a bad patch of only 2 wins in seven games which brought them level with second place Atletico Madrid and one point ahead of their arch rivals, Real Madrid.
The 8-0 win against Deportivo La Coruna and a 0-6 victory over Sporting Gijon was a response to the slump in recent form. As players and managers both looked in good spirits. However the win against Sporting lacked the fluidity that Barcelona showed in the earlier part of the season. In the pre match press conference Enrique looked ahead to the last phase of the season.
Enrique looks to win all the remaining four matches irrespective of the results of his rivals.
“Of course we have let a big lead slip but we are still set to win all four remaining matches,” said Enrique.
“To attack, we need the help of the whole team, including the goalkeeper and the defenders. The merit for everything good and for everything bad comes down to the whole team. But what Luis Suarez did against Deportivo, scoring four goals and giving three assists, there aren’t many players who can do that kind of thing.
Luiz Enrique seemed content with his squad’s performance and said that he has full confidence in his player’s abilities and the fans who support the team through thick and thin.
“I am very happy with the whole squad, I have no complaints. And we have the perfect fans who always get behind us.
The Barca showman, Lionel Messi, suffered a knock in the last game however Enrique assured that Messi was fit and ready for the next game.
“Lionel Messi was unfortunate with the knocks he took at Riazor but he has trained fine and is perfectly fit.”
