Barcelona vs Villarreal - Sinking Yellow Submarine will be tall order, insists Enrique

Posted Saturday, May 06, 2017 by PA

Luis Enrique believes Barcelona face "one of the toughest teams in LaLiga" as they look to maintain their title push with victory over Villarreal at the Nou Camp.

The Catalan club are level on points with Real Madrid but sit at the summit of the table because of their superior head-to-head goal-difference record against Los Blancos.

However, Real have a game in hand on their El Clasico rivals and they face a relatively easier clash with already-relegated Granada, which takes place after Barcelona have hosted the Yellow Submarine.

But Enrique is focused solely on securing three points against a Villarreal side who are hoping to keep their European ambitions alive following three successive league victories, including a 1-0 win at Champions League semi-finalists Atletico Madrid.

He told a press conference: "Villarreal are a team that present many difficulties in defence as they position themselves so well.

"At the same time, they create very dangerous chances and are one of the toughest teams in LaLiga.

"Villarreal are hard to get the ball off, they're a very organised team with the ball and also defend very well. They are one of the most difficult teams to counter and are strong in attack.

"We are only thinking about the match that lies ahead against Villarreal, as it is the first game that stands in our way."

Barca have injury concerns over Andres Iniesta, who is a slight doubt with a groin problem which has seen him miss the last two matches, although he has been in full training for the last two days, while Jeremy Mathieu could miss out as he recovers from an ankle knock.

Brazilian midfielder Rafinha and full-back Aleix Vidal have both been ruled out for the rest of the season with knee and ankle injuries respectively.

Villarreal currently occupy the sole automatic Europa League spot in fifth but are only two points ahead of seventh-placed Real Sociedad with Athletic Bilbao one point better off in sixth.

Head coach Fran Escriba understands the mammoth task his players face to topple the reigning league champions but the 52-year-old insists he will not settle for a point in what he believes is his side's sternest test of the campaign.

He said: "They've scored more than 100 goals in LaLiga. That statistic alone reflects just how great their strikers are, and their squad in general.

"What's more, they'll be fully motivated because they're playing for the title. For me, it's the most difficult match of the season.

"The team are having a very good end to the season, and the players are confident. There have been arguments going into the game that a draw isn't enough for us. We want to win."

The visitors will continue to be without long-term absentees Sergio Asenjo (knee) and Denis Cheryshev (thigh) while Victor Ruiz is ruled out with cartilage damage in his left ankle with midfielder Bruno Soriano also unavailable with a knee injury.