Luis Enrique insists Barcelona cannot win every game by “a landslide” following their 1-0 win against Granada on Sunday as “there’s no magic formula”.
Rafinha’s overhead kick early in the second half proved the only goal of the game in a hard-fought victory for Barca, who moved to second in La Liga, but while Enrique acknowledged “it wasn’t a brilliant match”, he was nonetheless “very happy” with the result.
“Clearly it wasn’t a brilliant match,” the Coach said after the game.
“We played against a very enclosed and retreated team. It’s true that our win was never under threat, but it’s also true that a 1-0 scoreline is always a risk.
“On this occasion, we lacked freshness and precision, but you must remember that the players aren’t machines.
“I’d love to win every game by a landslide, but I don’t know any team who do that.
“Still, I’m very happy because we know only two well about [the importance of] the three points. We’ve made our work count again.
“We had to be vigilant in order to avoid mistakes. I can’t make the players fresh with the touch of a button.
“There are times when we overcome high pressing and others when we don’t, the same with teams who sit back. There’s no magic formula. Now we’ll go to Manchester and attack one on one [with City].
“Iniesta? It’s clear that he’s a unique player, but we weren’t prepared to throw him in as the key to the game.
“The Grada de Animacion [a stand designed for raucous support]? The fans have always spurred the team on and that always ends up helping them.
“Now the stadium seems like something else. The truth is that this initiative has been a great success.
“There’s still room for our game to evolve. No two days are the same for anyone, so we still have room for improvement.”
Enrique was also asked about Sergi Roberto’s disagreement that Barca won scrappily and Sergi Samper in light of his cameo for Granada against the Catalans, his parent club.
“If you managed to upset Sergi Roberto then that deserves credit because he has a heart of gold,” he added.
“Samper? I already suffer enough with my own than to suffer with those that aren’t here! [His loan spell] will serve to toughen him up.”
