Luis Enrique has slammed UEFA’s treatment of Barcelona, claiming their estelada punishment “started off as a marble and gradually became a snowball”.
La Blaugrana were slapped with a second fine for their fans’ show of the pro-Catalan flag during last month’s Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen, and the Coach felt his team were being unfairly targeted.
“We expect a regular Fran Escriba team,” he said at a Press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Getafe in La Liga.
“It’ll be tough against a well-organised defence and an attack with quality. [Coliseum Alfonso Perez] is a stadium which brings back difficult memories.
“There were several players against Villanovense who showed me they were worthy of more minutes.
“If [Andres Iniesta and Sergi Roberto] are in the squad then they can be in the XI. They’ve not been out for long and lost only a little match fitness.
“Adriano is one of our longest-serving players. We know his quality and performance levels.
“He’s an excellent person and very important in the dressing room. He’s never disrespected anyone.
“[Douglas] has no luck. He played 80-odd minutes with a broken bone, which showed his desire to reverse his situation.
“If we had known, we wouldn’t have fielded a player with a broken bone. We needed an X-ray.
“I want us to be champions again. We came into last season’s match at the Bernabeu last year with four more points than [Madrid].
“I prefer to get it over and done with. It’ll be an attractive and interesting game, but nothing decisive.
“I’m happy with [Sandro Ramirez and Munir El Haddadi’s] performances. They haven’t scored but have participated in many goals.
“I can’t judge [Alexandre Pato] because I don’t follow the Brazilian League, neither do I usually assess players who don’t play for Barca.
“[The UEFA punishment for esteladas] started off as a marble and gradually became a snowball.
“The more you talk, the worse it becomes. I don’t know how it will end.
“We only want Leo [Messi] to make a full recovery, regardless of whether he will be back for the Clasico or not.”