Barcelona boss defends the Thomas Vermaelen and Douglas situations

Luis Enrrique Martinez wanted to ease the pressure on two players who have been in the news for the wrong reasons since arriving at Barcelona: Thomas Vermaelen and Douglas.

While the Brazilian has played just 73 minutes since he signed in August, the Belgian has still not been able to make his Barça debut - he's been recovering from an injury he arrived at the club with in the summer.

On Tuesday, Barça's boss defended the pair in his press conference.

"It's a normal situation for a player who has spent a lot of time injured," Luis Enrique said about Vermaelen.

"He wasn't able to play much last season and after a year of problems he is recovering.

"At the moment he's doing some specific work on his own because the recovery has not gone as we initially expected."

Meanwhile, on Douglas, the Asturian is confused at the reputation his new right-back has already earned.

"I don't understand the bad feeling towards him," Luis Enrique continued.

"I don't understand it. He's a young player that has come from Brazil and needs time to adapt to his new surroundings."