Luis Enrique: "Barcelona are not setting Champions League targets"

Luis Enrique has asked his players for intensity and concentration when they kick off their Champions League campaign against Apoel Nicosia at Camp Nou on Wednesday night.

He didn't set any objectives for the competition, however. These are the comments the Barcelona boss made during Tuesday's pre-match press conference.

-"To debut in the Champions League is special because the competion is very attractive and I think that team are in good form. We still have a lot to improve on, but in general I believe we are in a good position to get started in Europe."

-"Even though the rival isn't really attractive, for me it is still an important game. Three points are always vital. We need our fans. We will try to give them a spectacular game."

-"I am no more nervous than I was ahead of the match with Athletic Club. Beyond the music and the stars, it is a match like any other so that doesn't affect me. As a player it is slightly different, but the nerves disappear once you begin to play. As a coach, I need to be in control of the situation."

-"Taking into account the club's recent history [in the Champions League] it would be pointless to set targets... The only objective is to win the first match."

-"The possibility of alternating goalkeepers will be communicated to the team. Since I arrived I have said that I have three good keepers and I will take the best desicions for the team."

-"Dani Alves is OK, he has trained as normal and is among the players, in theory, available."

-"Neymar was very good last season. He has ambition and quality. That he has improved this year, fantastic; that is my objective with all the players.

-A different Messi, less goals and more assists? "Messi can be the best player in the world in whatever aspect of play he focuses on, but I don't think he will be a player with more assists than goals. But we do want to have more options than just scoring with Messi, so we can be less predictable. We have seen the team with different options and that is the objective.

-On Munir, Sandro and the canteranos: "I feel very proud of La Masia and having players available from the cantera."

-"Vermaelen has still not had the medical all clear, but Douglas, in theory, is avaialble."

-Luis Suarez: "He's good, very natural, ambitious and getting stronger in every training session.

-Six point lead on Real Madrid: "What happenes with the rest does not interest me. It is too soon to rate our rivals. We have to focus on ourselves."

-Apoel Nicosia: "This wonderful sport is full of examples where the favourites have been surprised by the 'lesser team'. If we are not strong and vigilant and we let our opponent surpass us in some aspects, we will suffer. If we are strong and competitive, though, we can win." 

-"I expect a similar game to [Athletic Club]. We will attempt to defeat our rival by playing in their half and imposing our characteristics. [Apoel] are a team with many Portuguese and Brazilian players."