Luis Enrique: Barca Not Getting Carried Away as Treble Beckons
Berlin. Barcelona is not getting caught up in the euphoria of its fans as it prepares for tonight’s Champions League final against Juventus, coach Luis Enrique said on Friday.
Barca supporters are on a high after their team wrapped up the La Liga title and King’s Cup last month, with the club now on the verge of repeating its historic treble from 2009.
The Catalan giant is favorite to triumph at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, but Juve showed what it is capable of by dispatching Barca’s rival and holder Real Madrid in the semifinal.
“The fans are euphoric and we are delighted with that,” Luis Enrique told a news conference. “But as professionals we will approach the game with the utmost seriousness.
“We will need to have a good day to get past a rival of this magnitude,” added the former Barca and Spain midfielder.
Luis Enrique, who is in his first season in charge at the Nou Camp, said midfielder Andres Iniesta should be fit for today’s match after an injury scare this week.
Spain midfielder Iniesta will be expected to help unlock a stubborn Juve defense, though the Turin side’s chances have been hit by an injury that has ruled out influential center-back Giorgio Chiellini.
“I want to have the ball more than them, occupy their half and play at a top level but we are sure to have some difficulties,” Luis Enrique said.
“I don’t think it will be a clash of styles as they will want to have the ball too. They have resources and that’s why they are also in with a chance of a treble.”
Like Barcelona, Juve has already won the domestic league and Cup double this season. It will be appearing in its eighth Champion’s League final and chasing a third triumph.
Barca has also played in seven finals, winning four, and is bidding for its third triumph in seven years in Europe’s elite club competition.
Reuters
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