BARCELONA | LUIS ENRIQUE
"Maybe Rakitic wouldn't throw himself off a bridge for me now!"
Luis Enrique gave a sarcastic reply to the Croatian player's declarations that he would throw himself off a bridge for the coach without doubting it.
Real Sociedad – Barcelona live
Luis Enrique was in the hotseat on Wednesday afternoon to look ahead to tomorrow's Copa del Rey quarter final first leg away at Real Sociedad.
Will Barça's recent poor run against Real Sociedad change the game plan in any way?
Nothing changes in the way we prepare for a game because it is always the same - regardless of whether we have to play a second leg or not. The plan's the same - to win the game, be the better side over 90 minutes and come home with a good result. It's true that against Real Sociedad we haven't done so well, they have been superior to us, especially in the league and we will need to manage their pressing, and win the battle for midfield; they're a side who are good at playing a short-passing game, but they are also good at playing a long-ball game if you let them play. As a unit, they pressurize well whenever they lose possession - Eusebio's doing a great job.
Aleix Vidal
I can only list 18 players and I have over 20; what happened the other day doesn't alter my impressions about him but it's the coach's job to make decisions.
Rakitic
Ivan is a player who has been, is, and will be, an important player for the team and for the club. As for renewing contracts, that's not for me to give an opion on. I only want all of the players at my disposal to perform whenever they are called on.
Rakitic said he would willingly throw himself off a bridge for you...
That interview is fairly old now, maybe it'd be better not to ask him if he would now (laughs). He's a great guy and I wouldn't read too much into those declarations.
