Gerard Pique: Let's win the Copa del Rey for Luis Enrique

Andy West 21:00 26/05/2017
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Gerard Pique.

    ‘Winning it for Luis Enrique’ would never have been the most obvious message to emerge from Barcelona’s dressing room in the last three years, but centre-back Gerard Pique insists that is the aim of his team-mates as they face Alaves in Saturday’s Copa del Rey final.

    Enrique has been a divisive figure throughout his three years in charge at the Nou Camp, which will come to an end following tonight’s game with many fans more than happy to see him leave the club.

    The former Spain international has been repeatedly accused of creating a hostile internal atmosphere and suffering from bad relationships with his star players – including Pique, who was unceremoniously dropped by Enrique for a lengthy period during his first season in charge.

    But the outspoken defender was fulsome in his praise of the departing coach, saying: “Luis Enrique deserves a good final.

    “He has been one of the best coaches in our history, and what better way to leave than with another title. I hope we achieve it.

    “Maybe with you (journalists) he didn’t have the best relationship, but in the dressing room he ended up conquering us.

    “They have been three magnificent years – for the titles, but also for many other things.”

    Enrique himself admits that his team face a highly motivated opponent as Alaves chase their first major trophy in club history, but he is confident that his players will not allow themselves to be out-competed in the contest at Atletico Madrid’s Vicente Calderon.

    “Nobody beats this team for ambition,” he asserted. “It has been difficult to reach this final, and now we have to take advantage.”

    The outgoing boss has endured a rocky relationship with the media during his time in charge, but he was in a light-hearted mood as he joked: “Maybe I’ll come back in July and give someone a heart attack.”

    One Alaves player with particularly special motivation is young midfielder Marcos Llorente, who has spent the season on loan at the Basque club from Real Madrid.

    And he believes the absence of suspended Uruguay striker Luis Suarez will benefit the underdogs, saying: “He’s an important loss.
    Obviously it’s good for us that he’s not playing.

    “We know exactly what we have to do, and it will be difficult for them to overcome us.”

    Recommended