Black Friday is Now! Don’t miss out on up to 60% OFF InvestingProCLAIM SALE

Luis Enrique unfazed by Suarez petulance

Published 03/03/2015, 16:15
© Reuters. Barcelona coach Enrique gestures during their Spanish First Division soccer match against Granada at Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium in Granada

By Tim Hanlon

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Barcelona coach Luis Enrique refused to be drawn on Tuesday over Luis Suarez's petulant reaction to being substituted in the weekend win over Granada.

Suarez, who scored one goal and was involved in the other two in a 3-1 victory over the Andalusian side, was clearly not happy as he walked off the pitch to be replaced by Pedro Rodriguez in the closing stages.

But ahead of the King's Cup semi-final second leg against Villarreal, Luis Enrique said it was not a worry for Suarez to be substituted late in a game.

"I'm not looking at what took place off the field," he told a news conference.

"When I played I didn't want to be involved in every minute. In the kickabouts and in matches where the substitutes were playing, I wasn't bothered about playing then."

The Catalan side have beaten Villarreal twice in the league this season and hold a 3-1 lead from the first leg at the Nou Camp.

If they can finish off the job they will face either local rivals Espanyol or Athletic Bilbao, who drew 1-1 in the first leg.

"Barca always go out to win the games and the objective in the return leg of the cup is to beat Villarreal," Luis Enrique said.

"If we win the game then there is no possibility of a surprise."

Barca's devastating forward line of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Suarez have scored 32 goals since the start of the year.

"We are in top condition considering the stage of the season and the minutes already played," Luis Enrique said. "To score will be more than important for us."

Villarreal held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw in La Liga last weekend and have impressed this season with the quality of their football and a solid backline.

The fact Villarreal coach Marcelino rested several players against Real also suggests they have not written off the tie.

"Until the game starts we don't know what Villarreal are going to do and this is the doubt," Luis Enrique said.

"The Villarreal side that we have seen in other league games is different to the one that has faced us," he added.

"In the other matches they have created chances with the ball, they have been dangerous and used the wings."

© Reuters. Barcelona coach Enrique gestures during their Spanish First Division soccer match against Granada at Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium in Granada

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.