Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao - Luis Enrique warns rivals not to write off Barcelona's title chances
Posted Saturday, February 04, 2017 by PA
Luis Enrique has warned that it would be foolish to write off Barcelona's LaLiga title chances.
Second-placed Barcelona welcome Athletic Bilbao to the Nou Camp on Saturday afternoon trailing leaders Real Madrid by four points having played a game more.
But Barcelona manager Enrique insisted that their last two title-winning campaigns proves they can last the LaLiga pace.
"LaLiga is about consistency and it's not where we have been at our best," Enrique said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
"We have to stretch ourselves to pick up points, always via our football philosophy.
"If anyone wants to say that we will not win the league, let them think about the last two seasons."
Barcelona have been boosted by the news that Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Lucas Digne are all set to return after injury.
Influential midfielder Iniesta has been out since going off at half-time in the first leg of the Copa del Rey tie at Real Sociedad on January 19.
Busquets picked up an ankle injury at Eibar 10 days ago and Digne missed the midweek cup clash with Atletico Madrid after damaging his knee in the 1-1 draw with Real Betis last weekend.
"In theory, they are back with the squad," Enrique said. "They trained today (Friday) and now we await the verdict of the medical staff.
"It's great news to be able to have players back after injury.
"Playing every three days is very demanding physically for my players, they only have two days to recover.
"However, that is something we have to live with if we want to chase three trophies."
Neymar's disciplinary record has been in the spotlight after the Brazilian picked up his 11th booking of the season on Wednesday.
That caution ruled Neymar out of the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico.
But Enrique said: "My players have the most fouls made against them, and strangely they are one of the most booked teams.
"Firstly, there are campaigns to discredit my players, and then later some of the same media say that it is unfair.
"I can only praise my players because they have had to play during this season in situations where they have had to keep their heads brilliantly.
"I don't want to speak more on this topic (of refereeing), as it is best not to mess with something you cannot control."
Bilbao are seventh - 10 points behind Barcelona - after last weekend's 2-1 defeat of Sporting Gijon ended a run of three successive draws.
The two sides last met in January when Barcelona overturned a Copa del Rey first-leg deficit to progress to the last four of the competition.
Bilbao striker Iker Muniain admits that defeat hurt them.
"We have a score to settle at Camp Nou," Muniain told the Minuto 0 programme.
"It's a very complicated away trip - one of the most difficult. We'll need to be at 200 per cent because, if not, you are going to get thrashed.
"Let's hope we can break our jinx, in LaLiga we have an outstanding debt at Camp Nou."
Bilbao expect Eneko Boveda and Aymeric Laporte to be fit and take their places in the back four after recent injuries.
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