Luis Enrique admits Barcelona face a challenge to make do without the “irreplaceable” Lionel Messi, starting against Bayer Leverkusen.
Barca face the next two months without Messi after he tore a knee ligament during their 2-1 win against Las Palmas at the weekend, and the Coach has called on his players to step up to the plate in the No 10’s absence.
“Bayer Leverkusen are a very strong team who defend very well and press,” he said at a Press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League encounter with the Germans.
“For us, it’s a key match at our place, playing against one of the strongest teams in the group.
“They will create many problems for us and it’ll be a very difficult game, so we must put on a very good performance.
“[On Messi’s absence], we’ll do what we have to do, but a player like Leo is irreplaceable.
“We played pre-season friendlies in which neither Messi nor Neymar were on the pitch, and it posed the team a very important and attractive challenge.
“You can’t replace a player like Leo, but we’ll try to do the same things that we’ve been doing, albeit with different players.
“I’m lucky that I’m not a journalist and don’t have to make up headlines [on Barca surviving without Messi]. I’m just focused on my team.
“We consider making changes every week, with the intention of setting the team up to be at their most dangerous.
“Only a journalist can ask [if Neymar should give more]. My players always step it up.
“Neymar has to continue being Neymar, [Luis] Suarez being Suarez and [Andres] Iniesta being Iniesta.
“[On Neymar changing position], I’ve seen him for Brazil and that’s our job [to improve our players’ versatility.
“We always look at the possibility of putting players in other positions.
“Adriano hasn’t trained because he had discomfort, and it’s hard to say whether he’ll available.
“[Jordi] Alba and [Claudio] Bravo have trained and are available in principle.
“[On goalkeeper rotation], I’ll continue basing my decisions on what I think is best for the team.”
