Malaga vs Barcelona preview - Enrique not getting carried away

Posted Tuesday, September 23, 2014 by PA

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has played down his side's record-breaking start to the season, pointing out the title race is unlikely to start really hotting up until March at the earliest.

Enrique, who replaced Gerardo Martino this summer, could barely have had a better introduction to life in the Barca hotseat, leading the Catalan giants to five successive wins in the Primera Division and Champions League without letting in a single goal.

That is only the 10th time Barca have taken maximum points from their opening four league games, and the first time they have managed it without conceding.

Despite that, though, Enrique is refusing to get carried away with his side's achievements - and says there is still room for improvement.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's trip to Malaga, Enrique said "From March we'll see who aspires to win the league. The objective is to get to that point with options to win all the competitions.

"Nobody wins the league in September, October, November, December, January or February. From March we'll see who is in a position to do it."

Barca's perfect start has left them two points clear of Valencia and Sevilla at the top of the table, while defending champions Atletico Madrid are four points back in fourth with Champions League winners Real Madrid down in seventh, a further two points back.

Enrique added: "Last year we saw a thrilling championship with three contenders. This season Valencia and Sevilla are looking very good and Madrid and Atletico will surely continue being up there."

Impressive though Barca's form is, the new boss still feels there are things can be worked on.

"We're going to continue improving in defence," he said. "I'm sure that we'll let in goals sooner or later. We've done things in these matches which haven't been decisive because they haven't cost us a goal, but we still need to continue working."

Malaga have picked up five points from their opening four games, beating Athletic Bilbao in their first game before losing to Valencia and then drawing with Levante and Malaga.

Levante and Malaga currently occupy two of the bottom three spots in La Liga, and Malaga coach Javi Gracia, who like Enrique took up the reins this summer, is hoping to see more from his side on Wednesday.

He said: "I'd like to see an improved Malaga. I didn't notice much improvement in the last game, although we were capable of claiming points. I always like to see us better ourselves in every match. Tomorrow's game will be different to what we've seen so far.

"I don't like to dwell on the past. We need to adapt our style of play and find the right track to do as much damage to Barcelona as we can, and maintain a strong defence."