Enrique admits Barcelona are ‘perfectly placed’ for treble repeat

Andy West 10:12 20/03/2016
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  • Barca’s Suarez in action in their 3-0 win over Villarreal last November.

    Barca’s 3-1 victory over Arsenal on Tuesday night extended their unbeaten sequence to an astonishing 38 games, while Atletico Madrid’s defeat to Sporting Gijon Friday means Enrique’s men can extend their lead at the top of La Liga to 11 points with just eight games remaining.

    The confident Nou Camp chief is also very happy with his squad’s fitness levels as they approach the final few weeks of the season, saying: “I’ve been shown stats which suggest we’re in a better physical condition than last season.

    “It’s not a mathematical formula, but it works and in this sense I am very optimistic. We are perfectly placed but nothing has been decided yet, so we will see.”

    But Enrique, who may be missing Andres Iniesta but could welcome back Rafinha after a six-month absence with a knee injury, also believes Sunday’s game is one of the biggest remaining tests of the season against a Villarreal team who have already defeated both Real and Atletico Madrid at El Madrigal this term.

    “They are one of the best teams in the league,” he said. “They work together in a very clinical manner and have perfect command of the defensive zone.

    “The high number of matches are starting to have an effect on everyone now we’re heading into the
    final games of the season, so we can only take it one step at a time.”

    Hosts Villarreal, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back to winning ways after a poor run of league form which has weakened their grip on fourth place.

    The Yellow Submarine have collected just one point from their last three games, including a potentially costly 4-2 defeat last weekend against their closest rivals for the last Champions League slot, Sevilla.

    But they have also progressed into the last eight of the Europa League, earning a goalless draw against Bayer Leverkusen in midweek to secure a 2-0 aggregate victory, and striker Roberto Soldado is excited about his team’s prospects.

    “We are tired after coming back from Germany, but our spirits are very high and we are focussed on what we want to achieve,” said the former Valencia and Tottenham frontman. Villarreal’s success has been built upon an excellent defensive record which has seen them concede just 23 league goals so far this season – only one more than Barca.

    However, Soldado acknowledged the challenge faced by his team this afternoon, noting: “It’s very difficult to stop them from scoring, even though we’re very solid at the back.

    “These are the best in the world – not only for the three forwards, but also because the whole team plays exceptional football. We can’t allow them to feel comfortable or commit any mistakes throughout the 90 minutes.”

    Soldado’s troubles in front of goal have contributed to his team’s recent downturn, with the experienced forward only scoring one goal since the turn of the year.

    He admits it has been a tough period but remains confident that his fortunes will soon change for the better, saying: “I am struggling in front of goal. I’ve had chances but haven’t converted them – hopefully the goals are being saved up for these last two months of the season.”

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