Luis Enrique has praised his Barcelona players for ignoring a group of unruly fans during their plane trip home from Sporting Gijon.
Members of the fan group Seguiment FCB were on the same plane as the Barca players after their 3-1 win at El Molinon on Wednesday but proceeded to jeer their team for failing to acknowledge them, yet Enrique insisted his side were guilty of no wrongdoing.
“I felt [the chants] in my soul but I was in row one and under no circumstances did I think the chants were unfavourable,” the Coach said at a Press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Las Palmas in La Liga.
“All I can say is that if they really uttered insults, I congratulate my players for not entering the provocations and showing no altercation.
“We seek to travel in the best conditions and what the fans and socios really want is to see their team play well on the pitch.
“Las Palmas are a difficult team. They are trying to maintain their place in the table and will force us to run after the ball if our pressing isn’t good.
“They’re a daring team who like to pass and keep the ball, so they’ll be a more-than-complex proposition.
“[On the state of Gran Canaria], you can’t predict the state of the grass, but I hope it’ll be in good condition and that there’ll be good weather, although they say it’ll rain.
“[On playing at 15:00 GMT], we’re used to playing at that time away from home, so the time doesn’t change much.
“[On his players’ individual achievements], collective motivations are above the individual.
“Between now and the end of season, the top three will slip up, for sure. We just need to await the extent of these slip-ups.
“We must be cautious. Until someone is mathematically the champion, no-one will give up.
“[On Neymar’s Olympic participation], we’ll have to see how he’s feeling then.
“Neymar has Copa America beforehand, so we’ll have to assess his workload so it’s not excessive.”
