Share

Enrique takes blame for shock Barca loss

Barcelona - Barca boss Luis Enrique admitted he must take responsibility for the Spanish champions' shock home defeat to newly promoted Alaves after starting Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez on the bench.

Enrique made seven changes on Saturday after many of his squad returned to club duty after taking part in World Cup qualifiers around the world in the past week, whilst Messi was also struggling with a minor groin injury.

"I am the one ultimately responsible for all the bad things that happen," said the Barca boss after suffering just his fifth home league defeat in three seasons in charge at the Camp Nou.

"Many of the changes came from the circumstances surrounding us, but we have 22 players and we are going to use everyone this season."

As well as leaving out Messi and Suarez, Enrique changed his entire back four, whilst goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen and striker Paco Alcacer made their debuts.

Deyverson beat Cillessen from close range to hand Alaves a surprise lead before half-time, but Jeremy Mathieu brought Barca back into the game when he headed home Neymar's corner a minute into the second-half.

Mathieu somehow then blasted wide when it seemed easier to score from another set-piece before Barca's makeshift defence was caught out once more when Ibai Gomez slotted home the winner.

Enrique called upon Messi, Suarez and Andres Iniesta from the bench, but even they couldn't break Alaves's resistance as Messi fired wide deep into stoppage time.

"We lacked fluidity, precision and we were fragile in defence, which is one of the things that normally makes us strong," added Enrique.

"The one positive is it is a time to reflect on what this team has won over the years. Everyone makes us favourites for everything, but it is not easy to win any game."

Enrique is expected to revert back to his strongest line-up for Celtic's visit to the Camp Nou to start their Champions League campaign.

The Scottish club will be high on confidence after thrashing old rivals Rangers 5-1 on Saturday.

"It's clear it wasn't our best game, they didn't have many chances but they were very effective," said midfielder Sergio Busquets.

"We lacked a spark, we lacked a lot of things. It is hard to say it is a deserved defeat because they also didn't create a lot.

"Now we have to think about Celtic because the season rolls on."

And Iniesta insisted Barca will have licked their wounds and learned the lesson in time for the visit of the Scottish champions.

"We have to do better in the next game in a different competition," added the Spanish international. "As always when there is a defeat, we have to analyse it and correct it for the next game."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
32% - 1847 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1813 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1105 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 473 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 193 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 262 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE