FC Barcelona manager Luis Enrique urged his players to bounce back from the bitter 4-1 defeat to high flying Celta Vigo in midweek when they take on newly promoted Las Palmas on Saturday.
Scintillating performances from Iago Aspas and Nolito for Celta De Vigo sunk the Blaugrana on Wednesday and ended their 100% winning start to the season in dramatic fashion.
Having conceded 6 goals in their opening 5 matches, Luis Enrique admitted that defence has been a major cause of concern for the Catalans this season. In the 3 Supercup matches played by Barcelona before the start of the La Liga against Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla, they shipped in an astonishing 9 goals.
The 4-1 defeat to Celta Vigo in midweek meant that FC Barcelona dropped to 5th position in the latest La Liga standings, 1 point behind leaders Real Madrid.
Lessons from Vigo
Speaking ahead of the match against Las Palmas at the Camp Nou, FC Barcelona manager Luis Enrique urged his players to learn lessons from their defeat in midweek.
“The loss in Vigo teaches us how tough it is to win,” said the Barcelona manager.
“What we look at is how much offense the team generates. As far as effectiveness, it’s been tougher for us than usual.
“I have no doubt that it is a temporary issue. The team will score goals.
“We hope the defeat in Vigo works as a push — so that we realise what is needed in modern football to win games and trophies.
Luis Enrique: “Everybody knows we need to improve defensively.” #FCBLive stream: http://t.co/Vvjkdar8gL pic.twitter.com/CuqkTTjNce
a FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 25, 2015
“Athletic beat us deservedly by four goals, and Celta deservedly beat us by [three] goals. There, we had 17 chances, but were not good in defence.
“It is still curious that we are scoring so few goals. There have been individual errors, and team errors, so there are things to correct. We must look at it among us all — the coach is also there for that.”
Enrique Defends under fire Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Enrique further went on to defend goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen who has been criticized by many for his poor performances at the start of the season.
“I don’t know what you have said or written,” Luis Enrique said.
“Criticism forms part of the DNA of this club, and his position he is judged in a special way.
“The defence is not just the goalkeeper and the back four, but everyone.
“The problem in Vigo was above all in the transitions, when we were not well positioned and we made the wrong decisions.
“Goals are not conceded by Ter Stegen or Claudio Bravo, but by the whole team.
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“I know that Claudio is recovering well, but have not thought about if he is ready to return early.”