Luis Enrique more critical than ever after Barça drop more points

Luis Enrique had no problem admitting that his team did not play as expected against Real Sociedad and that the draw was not something they deserved, given the home side were superior throughout. 

“It’s easy to explain because Real Sociedad have been superior to us in all aspects,” Luis Enrique began in his press conference. “They’ve not allowed us to string five passes together, they pressed us as and when they wanted, they won all the battles and you have to say that to be goalless at halftime was a miracle. 

“In the second half we improved a little, but not enough. We got back into the game through an isolated moment between [Lionel] Messi and Neymar, but there was little else.”

The coach admitted publicly that the game played by his players at Anoeta was “the worst” since he has been in charge, saying that the Catalan side “don’t deserve the point we’re taking back to Barcelona.”

On Gerard Pique’s comments — the defender said the league will disappear if there’s no reaction — Luis Enrique said:  “I think it’s dangerous to say things in the heat of the moment because not everything will be right. You can’t say that after the 13th game of the season. It’s the correct attitude, though, to think that there are many things to improve.”

He also used his press conference to send a small message of optimism to Barca fans who may be worried ahead of next weekend’s Clasico against Real Madrid at Camp Nou. “To the fans I say come and support us because I’m sure we’ll put up a fight against Real Madrid and we’re going to give everything against the current league leader.”