Luis Enrique rejected the suggestion he was sending a message to the Barcelona higher-ups against Valencia, when he didn’t make any substitutions.
The Coach appeared before the Press to preview Barca’s final Champions League group game, against Bayer Leverkusen, but was asked if his decision not to use his bench against Los Che was a sign he wants re-enforcements in January.
“It’s wrong to read that as a message to the sporting director that I’m looking for signings,” he replied, Marca reports.
“In fact, I’ve already given him a message. I left things how they were because I liked what I saw. It doesn’t make sense to make changes for the sake of it.
“I can try to rest players but I can’t perform magic. The squad I have is the squad I have, I’ve brought some young players with me [to Leverkusen] but it’s not a question of giving minutes away.”
Barca have already qualified as winners of Group E and Enrique added he is looking forward to a game in which the team can focus only on performance, without needing to be concerned with the outcome.
“We have the possibility of playing a full game without worrying about the result. We’ll try to be faithful to our style of play, knowing that our opponent will be thinking about the score more than we are,” the trainer confirmed.
“My motivation is to play a good game and take three points here. Whoever qualifies goes through. It’s based on merit, not who I’d prefer.
“Our team has identity and, since I’ve been here, has never lost that competitive level. We have to be well positioned, to provide solutions with the ball and dominate all aspects of the game.
“We’ll see how they press. Then we’ll see how to solve it. They’ll make it complicated, I’m sure. Their defence is their best way of attacking.”
Enrique was also asked about Lionel Messi, who recently returned from injury, and the Coach backed the forward to achieve whatever he wants.
“Any objective is within his reach. There’s nothing he can do that surprises us,” Enrique added.
“Obviously it’s good that he’s as involved as possible, but we always consider his condition and how the match is going.”
