Luis Enrique is in an upbeat mood as he prepares for his Barcelona team’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg trip to Villarreal on Wednesday night.
The Nou Camp club lead 3-1 from the first leg three weeks ago, with goals from Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique overcoming a long-range strike from Villarreal midfielder Manu Trigueros, and Enrique says his team have every confidence in their ability to seal the deal at El Madrigal.
With Barca also having one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals thanks to last week’s 2-1 win at Manchester City and – following Villarreal’s draw at Real Madrid on Sunday – just two points off top spot in La Liga, Enrique’s team are battling for silverware on three fronts.
And after a highly impressive run of 13 wins in 14 games – a home loss to Malaga ten days ago being the only exception – the Barca boss was exuding positivity ahead of tonight’s fixture.
“We are in optimum condition,” he said. “We are in great form to confront the final stages of all the competitions and to lift trophies.
“Our objective is to reach the end of the season with a chance of winning all the titles. We are on that path and we will try to complete it.”
Enrique’s main selection dile-mma for tonight’s tie revolves around South American duo Luis Suarez and Javier Mascherano, who would miss the final if they receive a yellow card.
Pedro and Jeremy Mathieu could fill in for the endangered duo, and Enrique admitted the possibility of losing two key players for the final has given him pause for thought.
Although Suarez’s place in the starting line-up is in doubt, the other two places in Enrique’s front three are firmly settled with Lionel Messi and Neymar unquestionable starters.
Messi is in spectacular form, netting 15 goals in the first two months of 2015.
But Neymar has struggled to make a major impact in recent weeks and has scored just once in the last five games, also missing a penalty in the first leg which would have given Barca a surely decisive 4-1 advantage.
For all his confidence in the abilities of his own team, however, Enrique also expressed his admiration for the qualities of a Villarreal outfit which demonstrated their value in Sunday’s well-deserved 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu, a result achieved despite several regular starters being left on the bench.
“Villarreal are one of the best teams in the league,” enthused the Barca boss. “They have very quick forwards and skilful midfielders – they are a great team.
Barca’s confidence has been boosted by the weekend’s La Liga results, with Enrique refusing to temper their ambitions.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
LUCIANO VIETTO: The Argentine youngster is rapidly developing a reputation as one of the strikers to watch in La Liga. Has scored three goals in his last three appearances, meaning Barcelona will have to be aware of his talents. The hosts will see little of the ball, meaning his threat on the counter attack will be key.
IVAN RAKITIC: The Croatia midfielder is proving an inspired acquisition by Barca, filling in perfectly for the ageing Xavi. Was outstanding last time out against Granada, scoring one and setting another up. Also adds a physical presence in the middle, which will be needed to see off the Yellow Submarine.
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