Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has played down fitness concerns over Lionel Messi for today’s home meeting with relegation-threatened Sporting Gijon.
The Argentine suffered a couple of bangs on his right foot as he masterminded his team’s emphatic return to winning ways at Deportivo La Coruna on Wednesday.
Messi created two goals for Luis Suarez with brilliant defence-splitting passes, also getting on the scoresheet in an emphatic 8-0 victory which ended a run of three consecutive defeats for La Liga’s leaders.
But Enrique allayed those worries by confirming: “Messi is in perfect condition. He took a knock against Depor but he has trained well and is ready to play.”
The Barca boss also believes his team’s sensational midweek performance has dispelled the doubts which had started to surround the squad following their unexpected downturn in form.
The Catalan giants know that victories in their four remaining games, starting on Saturday night against struggling Sporting, will be enough to secure the title, and Enrique added: “It was the perfect result to strengthen our position, which had become complicated by our previous results.
“We’re looking good again now and ready for four games which we have to win.”
? Luis Enrique: "Messi is in perfect condition after taking a knock against Depor" #FCBLive pic.twitter.com/oOwzAKxwCU
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 22, 2016
Although the majority of attention on Enrique’s side inevitably focuses on the ups and downs of the forward line of Messi, Suarez and Neymar, the Barca coach was keen to pinpoint the influence of skipper Andres Iniesta.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him play badly,” said Enrique. “He is vital. He’s our captain and he is decisive both on and off the pitch. There are very few players with his intelligence – he’s a unique player.”
There was also, however, a pointed comment in the direction of Aleix Vidal, who was left out of the squad for Wednesday’s trip to La Riazor despite being fully fit amid reports that he has fallen out with his manager.
A summer signing from Sevilla, the versatile right-sided player has made a limited impact since becoming eligible for selection in January, starting just six league games, and Enrique did nothing to dispel the rumours that he is out of favour by saying: “The squads and teams I have selected speak for themselves.”
However, Enrique suggested that Vidal may be offered a second chance, also hinting that he could make changes to his side, by adding: “From today, some players will come into the squad and others will go out. I am happy with the squad.”
