10 key phrases from Luis Enrique ahead of Barça's match against Ajax
Luis Enrique analysed Barcelona's Champions League match with Ajax on Monday; here are 10 phrases which stood out from the press conference at Barça's training ground.
1. Key week for the team? "The sensations are good; in la Liga we have only drawn once, in the Champions League we lost one that we didn't deserve to lose... No, it's not a key week. Key will be April, May. It's an interesting week, not a key one."
2. How will the Ajax game go? "Against Ajax we must play a complete game to make sure we don't let them do what they do best. They have a good structure and can attack, they're a difficult rival. The third game in this competition is important and home games are key for qualifying."
3. Could a bad result affect the Madrid game? "For me, no. I have no doubts about my team, nor about the game at the Bernabeu which has nothing to do with the result of the Ajax game. We are used to playing every three or four days and the only important game we have in our heads is the one against Ajax. The players know the importance of this game and the need for three points."
4. Ajax's characteristics: "They're good positionally, dominate the ball and have solutions across all the lines. Defensively they pressure well, they don't speculate and they can counter attack well. They made things difficult for us last year."
5. Relationship with their boss, Frank de Boer: "I've not spoke with him. We have a good relationship because we both lived in Gava. Frank wants to play football and he doesn't simply judge things by winning."
6. Not taking Messi off against Eibar: "I'm not going to go into this. Before we make a change - especially the third one - we must make sure if players are OK or if they have a slight problem and then we will take a decision based on what the team needs."
7. Mascherano the midfielder: "He has the physique to help defensively and the capacity to help in our attacking play too. It's the same as Sergio Busquets. They are two top footballers. Sergi Samper has a profile more similar to Sergio, although he is much younger."
8. Luis Suarez: "We already knew Luis Suarez the footballer. He is very intense in training and he places a lot of importance on working hard every day; every day he is better and we expect that he will help us a lot. His work so far has strengthened the opinion we had of him."
9. Is Busquets injured? "Busi is available and we will see on Tuesday what we do. He could participate in the game. His absence against Eibar was a technical decision. The manager's decision."
10. Any clues for the Clasico? "No, first I will tell Carlo Ancelotti and then he can tell me his plans (laughs). No, I can't say anything."
ANECDOTE: What would you not forgive your players for? "Heartbreak (laughs). I'd forgive them for anything, everything. Everything apart from them killing you."
