Luis Enrique claims "sometimes it's good to lose"
Luis Enrique refused to be too downbeat after Barcelona’s hopes of ending the calendar year with six trophies was ended by Athletic Club in the Spanish Super Cup on Monday night.
The Basque side came from behind at Camp Nou to secure a 1-1 draw, ensuring an impressive 5-1 aggregate victory.
Barça, who have previously won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup this year, will hope for more luck in the Club World Cup later this year.
“You have to know how to win and how to lose,” Enrique said after the defeat.
“Sometimes it can be good to lose, that way you realise how hard it is to win… and how nice.
“Athletic deserved the trophy — congratulations to them. My team did well [on Monday night], but the game was over after the red card [to Gerard Pique in the second half].”
The Barcelona boss handed a start to Pedro, who is expected to leave for Manchester United before the end of August.
On the Spain international, he said: “It’s a difficult situation for Pedro, that’s obvious. I hope the transfer window shuts soon, that way everything will be sorted.”
He was also asked whether Claudio Bravo, who started against Athletic, or Marc-Andre ter Stegen would start in goal when the La Liga season gets underway this weekend.
“I don’t know yet; neither do the players,” he claimed.
“I will do what I think is best. It could be the same as last season [when Bravo played in the league and Ter Stegen in the cups], or it could be different.”
