Barcelona Coach Luis Enrique confirmed Luis Suarez will play against Real Madrid and insisted he’s not worried how Carlo Ancelotti sets his team up.
Enrique was asked about Suarez, who today completes his four-month ban for biting, and how he expects Madrid to line up in the absence of Gareth Bale.
“Regardless of the XI Ancelotti puts out, they keep their idea of football,” he said at a pre-match Press conference, AS reports.
“They will remain the same and our ideas won’t change either.
“I don’t see having a four-point lead as a problem. It’s an advantage as I see it.
“It means we’ve been a reliable team. I’d rather be in our position.
“Suarez? I’m not playing games today. He’ll play. How many minutes he plays is the million dollar question.
“It’s important for him and he’ll get some minutes to play.”
Enrique was asked if he was bothered by some recent comments from Carlo Ancelotti, in which the Madrid Coach poked fun at the controversy surrounding Lionel Messi’s refusal to be substituted against Eibar.
Ancelotti said after Madrid beat Liverpool and Cristiano Ronaldo was substituted that he took off the Portugal captain ‘even without having to ask.’
The former Milan boss also said in a recent interview that having been in charge of Madrid, he couldn’t now coach Barca.
Enrique was asked if he felt he could coach Madrid and flat batted the question.
“That’s a good one,” was Enrique’s reply.
“I have great respect for Ancelotti as a Coach and as a person. Everyone has the right to joke. I have no problem with it.
“I’ve got less problem with him as well. I’m thinking of my job and that’s enough.”
Enrique also agreed with Ronaldo, who criticised the decision to play the game at 6pm local time, explaining it was something the clubs couldn’t control.
“Cristiano’s right. Having an organised calendar would be nice too,” he lamented.
“I also prefer to play later but we’re guided by other interests, of television, and we can’t control it.”
