Luis Enrique: "I say abracadabra to the MSN and the magic just comes out"

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique joked that all he has to do is say "abracadabra and the magic comes out" of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

The coach was in his usual dry form ahead of the Catalans' clash with Arsenal on Tuesday night in the Champions League last 16. 

"It's easy to work with the trident," he continued, after being asked how he manages the fearsome attacking trio. "They have freedom, but they also have defensive obligations. We all have the same objective, it's very easy to coach them."

Asked specifically about Messi and if he was better than last season, he replied: "His last season was spectacular in all aspects. And now he's at the same level, or better. They are players that consistently reinvent themselves. Now he plays more open out wide. He's vital for us, he's our leader."

The Blaugrana boss was looking forward to the game. "I hope that we put in a great performance, I hope that we have the ball in the opposition half [a lot]," he said. "I think that tomorrow we're going to see a great game of football."

Arsene Wenger said Barcelona were 'super favourites' to win the clash, and Lucho thought that was normal for a manager to say before facing the European champions.

"We accept the etiquette of favourites. But this doesn't give you anything - we have to show those things on the pitch," he said. 

"We have to be better than a rival that has players of quality."