Barcelona Coach Luis Enrique believes La Liga has a more competitive look to it this season, with Valencia and Sevilla impressing.
Enrique spoke to the Press ahead of the game against Granada and the Asturian discussed Saturday’s opponents and expressed his views about a more open League.
He also joked about physical condition of Luis Suarez after reports in the Spanish media criticised his weight.
Enrique told reporters the game would be similar to the one played in Malaga, where Barcelona failed to produce a single shot on goal for the first time in ten years, and Barca will have to be ‘more unpredictable.’
“I’d imagine that Granada will try to play the same game as Malaga, but at the same time this is easier said than done,” the former Celta Vigo boss said.
“But I have to say that, apart from Athletic Bilbao that tried to press high up the pitch, every opponent so far has tried to stay in their half of the pitch and wait for us.”
On the subject of Los Che, Enrique was philosophical, arguing the season is still in the early stages.
“At the moment I don’t really mind about being top of the table with Valencia. I just hope that we’ll be there when it matters,” he continued.
“It seems like there could be more candidates for this season – Valencia and Sevilla are at a very high level.
“Until a couple of seasons ago, it felt like only Barcelona and Real Madrid could compete. Then last season Atletico won. This would make the League more open and entertaining for everyone.”
The Azulgrana Coach took a light-hearted approach when talk turned to Suarez’s weight after the Uruguayan turned out for Barca B against Indonesia’s Under-192.
“Listen, I don’t think that Luis was thin and skinny when he was at Liverpool either,” Enrique countered.
“His weight is well controlled at the millimetre. He’s got a powerful physique and I think he is in interesting conditions.
“But if you want, we could take into consideration a liposuction, although I don’t think it’s the case just yet…”
Enrique also rejected the suggestion that Barca need to be concerned about repeated bouts of on-field illness for Lionel Messi.
“That doesn’t worry us too much under a medical or a football perspective,” he insisted.
“Personally I give no importance at all to those facts.”
