Granada CF vs Barcelona - Business as usual for Enrique and Barca with title in the offing
Posted Friday, May 13, 2016 by PA
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique stressed his players will approach Saturday's Primera Division finale at Granada just like every other match this season as they stand on the verge of clinching the title.
Enrique's men go to Andalucia a point clear of Real Madrid, knowing victory at Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes would deliver a 24th La Liga crown.
Granada, meanwhile, in theory have nothing to play for after securing their top-flight status with a 4-1 win at Sevilla last weekend.
Enrique, though, remains focussed on the job in hand.
"We are planning for the last league game just like we did for the previous 37 and it will be difficult, for sure," the Barcelona manager said at a press conference.
"I am sure that in some moments of the game we will suffer, because Granada will attack, so we have to be focused.
"These types of games can have a lot of tension and you have to relax the players."
Barca went out at the quarter-final stage of the Champions League to Atletico Madrid but will take on Sevilla in the final of the Copa del Rey next weekend.
Enrique hopes they will do so still chasing a domestic double and feels the title would be reward for his team's consistency.
"The league title shows your level throughout the season, and this season has shown La Liga is the toughest league in Europe," he added.
"As of today I am satisfied with what the team has achieved, but the grades come when the season ends."
Luis Suarez leads the goalscoring charts with 37 goals, four ahead of Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, as he closes in on the Trofeo Pichichi.
However, the Uruguay striker is not concerned by any individual accolades, so long as the team finishes the season top of the table.
"I hope I can keep helping the team with goals and assists. The important thing is that if we win La Liga, the goals have contributed to that," he said.
"But to be Pichichi, if we are not champions, means nothing."
Suarez added: "Pressure always exists. We are obliged to win. We depend on ourselves. Mentally we have to be very strong. We have 93 or 94 minutes to win the game.
"We will have to suffer at times, but that is normal - even more so being the away side. What I want is that we win the league."
There had been reports Granada goalkeeper Ivan Kelava suggested incentive 'briefcases' were on offer from Real Madrid to defeat Barcelona, which the Croatia international was quick to refute.
Suarez, though, believes beating the champions-in-waiting is motivation enough for the Granada team.
"I don't believe in third-party payments, I only believe in the pride of the Granada players to want to win," he said.
"Each team are aware of their actions and know what they have to do."
Granada head coach Jose Gonzalez dismissed the reports of any 'briefcases' in the offing.
He said: "I have to face the match with the best possible mood and forget the bickering.
"Throwing false accusations does seem very unfair and I think that should be punished."
Gonzalez believes his players will not let the occasion get the better of them.
He said at a press conference: "We know that all the of world football is focused on this match and we want to do our best.
"The fans of Granada can treat it like a party because the goal (of staying up) has been achieved, but we intend to be even more proud of this team.
"We must defend very well, know what we will face and use our weapons in the best possible way."
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