Deportivo La Coruna vs Barcelona - Enrique urges Barcelona to move on from PSG triumph - 7M sport

Deportivo La Coruna vs Barcelona - Enrique urges Barcelona to move on from PSG triumph



Posted Saturday, March 11, 2017 by PA

Luis Enrique is urging Barcelona to put their "special week" behind them and instead concentrate on beating Deportivo La Coruna in LaLiga as the Catalans pursue another treble.

Barca looked set to exit the Champions League, which they last won two years ago, when losing 4-0 at Paris St Germain, but the French side were in for the shock of their lives in the return leg.

Despite the fact Edinson Cavani grabbed an away goal at the Nou Camp, Barca pulled off an historic comeback to win 6-1, with Sergi Roberto scoring at the death to book an unlikely quarter-final place.

Things are looking up on the domestic front, too, with a Copa del Rey final showdown with Alaves arranged and a one-point lead over Real Madrid established in the league.

Before Sunday's trip to Deportivo La Coruna, head coach Luis Enrique, who will step down at the end of the season, sounded a note of caution at his pre-match press conference.

"This weekend all I care about is how good Deportivo are, despite the special week we have just experienced," he said.

"I am relying on the experience of my players and that they will know how much is at stake.

"Everything is still to be decided. The reality is that we are alive in three competitions and want to prosper in them all."

Not only is history on Barca's side - they have scored 21 times across their last four trips to Riazor - but the Catalans are riding a wave of prolificity in front of goal.

In warming up for their remarkable showing against PSG, they thrashed Sporting Gijon 6-1 and Celta Vigo 5-0, with the result against the French club meaning they have notched 17 goals in three games.

Pepe Mel, the new Deportivo manager, should be more concerned but his 17th-placed Galician side are unbeaten since he arrived.

A 1-1 draw with Real Betis in Wednesday's rearranged fixture consolidated Depor's reputation as hard to break down at home, and Mel is keen to make life difficult for Barca as well.

He told AS.com: "The players know it will be a difficult challenge, but we have a fit squad and it's better to have guys at 100 per cent than at 60 per cent. That matters a lot.

"They will come here feeling like they're floating above the clouds and maybe believe they're better than us, but our morale is also in the clouds.

"We have not achieved anything yet, but our situation is improving and the players are smiling."



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.