Pedro? I don't take team decisions based on the transfer window, says Luis Enrique

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique is expecting Athletic Club to be very combative in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup at the San Mames. The Asturian coach confirmed that he will count upon the same personnel who played in the European Super Cup clash against Sevilla (5-4) but didn't dispel the doubts surrounding his possible starting lineup.

Barça are at their limit during pre season. "This is how the calender has worked out and we intend to make the most of our situation: I hope that it affects us as little as possible," explained Enrique. "We know that we have to be competitive from the start this season, and we are the team to beat, the same can be said in Europe."

Luis Enrique spoke positively about playing the Super Cup with the same personnel: "If it was at home, I would play it like any game; but it being two legs... we have to be much stronger, but you saw last year that Athletic have quality in order to be competitive throughout many games."

Although Barcelona are seen as favourites ahead of Ernesto Valverde's side, Enrique denied the superiority. "We did not win clearly (in the Copa del Rey final) but got the result (3-1). I remember a tough game and a competitive final. Athletic always make us demand more from ourselves and I expect a similar opponent, with a tactical surprise or some man marking."

Luis Enrique spoke on whether he expects the Basque club to repeat the individual marking of Leo Messi. "As we have played many times against them and we know them inside out, it could be an option. I am sure that they have some surprise because they pressure well and make the most of the support of their fans in order to make a game uncomfortable for their opposition. It is an awkward clash that will be decided over two games."

Luis Enrique hopes that Barcelona can triump using their usual weapons. "To have the ball as far away from our goal in order to avoid danger from our opponent and to have more chances at goal, is one of our characteristics, but sometimes we find ourselves playing a rival who thinks the opposition and this will be difficult."

In terms of the sextuple, which would be the first of his professional career, "it is a target that we all have in mind, in order to have the chance of winning it, it is difficult. But first we have to go for their fifth title, the sixth is still very far away. Now, what motivates us is the final against Athletic."

Lucho admitted that he is feeling very different during pre season to before, but considers it to be a prize. "This season starts with attractive targets and it forces us to be competitive from the start, because it allows us to have targets already. And these objectives will help you to prepare for the coming season."

As is always the case, he did not want to give anything away regarding his starting line up, nor if he would rotate the 11. This didn't stop him from announcing that "Iniesta is very well, he took a bad knock in his tendon but he has trained perfectly well. Everyone is available, as they were a week ago, after a game with extra time that hasn't benefitted us at all in terms of having another final in four days."

In terms of the defensive mistakes against Sevilla, the Barça manager recalled that "there are mistakes in every games, individual or tactical... but we recognise them and have analysed them and will work when we can throughout the season to get better." He recalled that, "in order to win titles we have to be superior in defence and attack. We were superior against Sevilla in many stages, although no as much at the end."

It was inevitable that he would be asked about Pedro Rodriguez and his situation at the club. "I am seeing the same Pedro throughout pre season, in terms of effort and work nothing has changed. We know that we are in a special situation from the start of pre season, without a change regarding his future. It is a difficult situation for him, we know this and he knows that we want him to stay."

Avoiding controversy, Enrique did not become forceful regarding whether Pedro will play or not due to his future. "Pedro is like the rest of my teammates (in terms of availibility to play). I don't take decisions regarding the transfer window. He didn't start (in the European Super Cup) because two days earlier he had adductor problems. It is a difficult situation and a little bit contradictory because he wants to stay but he wants more minutes. I can't wait for the transfer window to close in order to know which players in can count on."

Putting an end of the question, he added: "The Pedro situation is understood by everyone. He is a player who has been, is, and will be wanted  for his performance and the values that he has."

Luis Enrique also spoke on two further topics. The first was the nomination of Cristiano Ronaldo, together with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, in the prize for UEFA's best player 2014/2015. "Who has decided this? Well, ask them but I wouldn't go with those three. I believe that it should have been, without doubt, Neymar, Messi and Luis Suarez."

Finally, Nolito. The Celta Vigo forward has said that he will only leave Balaidos to sign for Barcelona, and could be an alternative in the event of Pedro leaving. Enrique, who knows the player well from his time at Barça B and at Celta, didn't respond: "I don't speak about players who aren't in Barcelona's first-team squad."

Luis Enrique spoke to the media after a training session at Barcelona's Ciutat Deportivo de Sant Joan Despi.

Barça will play travel to Bilbao on Friday at midday, with their flight coming into Vitoria airport. From there they will travel by bus to the city where they will play at the San Mames at 22:00.