‘Barca XI for Clasico? I’ll tell Ancelotti first’

Luis Enrique has refused to give any hints about the Barcelona XI to play Real Madrid, insisting he is focused on Ajax.

Barca travel to Amsterdam tomorrow for the Champions League tie and then go to Madrid on Saturday for the first Clasico of the season.

Luis Suarez is available to play Madrid and there is speculation over whether or not he will be called by the Coach.

Asked if he will name the same team for both games, Enrique responded with a tongue-in-cheek answer.

“First I’ll tell Carlo Ancelotti so we don’t catch him by surprise,” AS quotes Enrique as saying.

“I’ll tell you all so we can be brutally honest. But I’m sure he’ll say the same to me so there’ll be no damage.

“The only game in mind is the Ajax game, so we get the points to go to the next round.”

On the subject of Suarez, Enrique suggested the banned Uruguay forward is close to being up to speed.

“There’s more going on that what we see in matches,” he argued.

“He is very intense and does a lot of work every day. He will be a good addition and he’s very happy.

“There’s no secret beyond working every day. He’s shown great joy at signing for Barca and will give everything for Camp Nou for many years.”

Tags Carlo Ancelotti Luis Enrique
La Liga - Club News