Luis Enrique: We need a win at Eibar to put pressure on Real Madrid and Sevilla

Barça travel to Ipurua on Sunday to take on ninth placed Eibar at 8.45pm CET in the final game of week 19’s fixtures in La Liga as the blaugranes currently sit a point behind Sevilla and two points behind leaders Real Madrid in the table. Coach Luis Enrique knows that hitting form at this point in the campaign is crucial to their defence of the league title. “We have been looking for a long run of good results since the start of the season but we haven’t managed it yet,” revealed the Barça boss in his traditional pre-game press conference at the Ciutat Esportiva on Saturday. “ Let’s hope now we can put a good run of results together because we need it – above all to put pressure on the sides above us in the table.”

On the absence this weekend of captain Andrés Iniesta due to injury, Luis Enrique was clear. “There is no-one else like him in the squad, nor in world football,” said the Asturian, before confirming that the midfielder would be back “soon” as his calf injury is not serious. Nevertheless, the Barça boss took solace in the fact that “I have a good selection of players in that position and they all can bring things to the team in defence and attack.”

Sunday’s league opponents Eibar will pose problems for the blaugranes down the flanks according to Luis Enrique. “One of their great virtues is their wing play and ability to get crosses in as they have good finishers in the box,” warned the coach.

“Eibar will be loyal to the style that has got them to where they are at the moment in the league. The Basque team always make it difficult for you and we need to be at our best with the ball and well positioned to find a way through.”