"My wife is very critical and keeps my feet on the ground"

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique spoke to the media after their Saturday morning training session, the last one before his side face Levante on Sunday (21.00 CET). The squad will fly to Valencia at midday on Sunday.

Levante’s qualities: “They haven’t started the season as I expected and it’s a tricky game, as they all are away from home. We’re aware of their defensive strengths and their long-ball game, and that’s where we’ll try to get the upper hand. I don’t think it’s one of the sides we’ll have the biggest problems against. How do you gain an advantage if they have 10 men behind the ball? With the ability we have in our side. Throughout the season we’ll come up against even more defensive rivals.”

Squad selection: “As long as the departure time coincides with us being in the Ciudad Deportiva (training ground) we’ll do the same. Everyone is ready to go. The ones that are left out will always train.”

Neymar’s day off in Milan: “It doesn’t bother me at all. It’s his private life and the players know what they have to do. They have to enjoy themselves. I spend my time with my children in my free time. I’ve got a group of players that are fun, spontaneous, etc...”

A tough fixture list: “I don’t sit holding the fixture list. Throughout the season I’ll need the squad and all the players. The only thing we’re concerned about is this game.”

Munir: “I don’t think he’s overtaken anyone. We’ll see what happens in the future. Both him and Sandro have an eye for goal and give us important things, but he hasn’t overtaken anyone.”

Rotating Messi: “It will depend on what I see and what the team needs. I’ll try to manage it as best I can. If I knew that by playing him constantly his performances wouldn’t drop then I would assess it, but as I don’t know, we’ll have to see.”

A crunch week: “The aim is to beat Levante and I hope to see the best side of my team, to be better than Levante, and that the rest of the squad also play. We’re not at the centre of the world and to aspire to win everything we need to do things very well.”

Xavi making comparisons between Pep and Luis Enrique: “Coming from Xavi that’s great, although he’s a friend. Hopefully we’ll achieve that, but the only thing that counts is winning trophies and making ‘Los Culés’ happy.”

Praise from Mendilibar: “Obviously Barça press high up the pitch and we can do it because our attack is well organised and we have the resources. Attacking and defending are closely related.”

Support for Luis Suárez: “He works hard in training and gives us something that is very interesting. He expresses himself and it rubs off. Even without playing he’s a good signing.”

Ter Stegen: “My job is to choose, but both him and Bravo trained really well, like the rest of the squad.”

The fans’ support: “My wife is very critical so the praise stays outside when I go home; she keeps my feet on the ground. Praise weakens you; we’re not that great right now and nor are we that bad when we lose.”

Top performances: “I don’t know. There are aspects that the players grasp quickly and others we have to improve on. There are certain aspects of our play that I haven’t been able to talk about. It's a journey that’s constantly evolving.”

Vermaelen: “He’s improving every day, after such a long time out. I’m happy with what I see and if his physical condition allows it he'll be a good addition.”

from Últimas noticias | Diario AS http://ift.tt/ZwJvzC

via IFTTT