Barcelona’s coach, Luis Enrique has said despite his woeful outing on Saturday, October 25, 2014 in the ‘clasico’, Barcelona remains on top of La Liga.
The Catalans, after leading in the game through Neymar’s four minutes goal at the Santiago could not see them through the game as it ended 3-1 against Barcelona.
According to Enrique, the setback only allowed Madrid to draw to within a point of Barca, and also saw Sevilla move level on points with them.
Enrique also said that he sees no reason for doom and gloom, revealing that the players have responded well to their first Liga loss of the season.
“The team has trained hard this week, with the same intensity as they would any other,” the former Spain international told Goal News on Friday.
“Defeats hurt – there’s no question about that – but over the course of a season you’re going to have to deal with all kinds of situations.
“It’s not until the end of the season that you can really say whether a team deserves one thing or another.
“But, all things considered, we’re top of the league at the moment.”
Luis Enrique was speaking ahead of Saturday November 1, 2014 clash with his former club, Celta, which he left at the end of last season to take charge of Barcelona.
“There’s no doubt that this is a very special match for me because I know all the players,” he confessed.
“I have very fond memories of Celta. It’s a small club with big values.”
“They’re a very dangerous and effective team,” the admitted. “They don’t speculate. They try to hold onto the ball and create a lot of pressure.
“I’m delighted that they’re having such a good season. They’re showing that both in their football and their results.
“They are very good at playing as a unit and are solid in defence.
“They fight back every time they lose the ball, and that’s what makes them so dangerous.
“It’s going to be difficult match but the objective is the same as ever: to play well and win.”
Speaking about Luiz Suarez, Enrique believed the striker is still undergoing the process of blending with Barcelona’s style of play as he admits that Suarez is progressing fast.
“He’s training very well and at a good rate” he said of Suarez. “We’ll now be getting the chance to see him playing in matches, and that’s when you can really judge him as a player.”
