FC Barcelona manager Luis Enrique urged his players to draw lessons from last season as Malaga take on the La Liga Champions at the Camp Nou.
FC Barcelona, who will be play their first home match of the 2015-16 La Liga season, will be looking to build upon their winning start to the campaign as they gear up to defend their league title. The Catalans defeated Athletic Bilbao by a solitary goal in their opening match of the season, with manager Luis Enrique hailing the win as a ‘complete performance’
Wary of Malaga
Malaga was the only team that FC Barcelona could not score against last season, as the Albicelestes won 1-0 at the Camp Nou, while drawing 0-0 at the La Rosaleda.
“It should serve as an example,” . warned the coach. “I’m happy it’s the first match at the Camp Nou so we can see if we’re able to overcome the difficulties we had [versus MA?laga] last season … It’s a challenge for us.”
Enrique admitted that facing Malaga would be a perfect chance for him to assess the improvement of the performance of his squad saying, “of course it is useful. And the same coach is there [at Malaga], although some players have changed.
“It will be difficult and it is an attractive challenge for us. I like it that Malaga are the first visitor in La Liga, to see if we have improved.
Enrique relishing Roma return
Luis Enrique also discussed FC Barcelonaa s Champions League group opponents, including a return to his former club AS Roma. FC Barcelona were placed in Group E alongside Bayer Leverkusen, AS Roma and BATE Borisov.
a Yes. I was there [Roma] for one year but the way I was treated by the club, the players and the public was very gooda , said Enrique. a Ia m delighted that Ia ll be going back to such a marvellous city and see people who I value a lot.a
a As a competition, ita s more than exciting and the rivals are difficult a ita s couldna t be any other way. Wea re in a tough group, as are the majority of the other teams.
a Roma were the toughest team in Pot 3 and Bayer Leverkusen nearly knocked Atl tico out, but we are the defending champions and we will be attempting to do what no team has ever managed in the current format which is to win the Champions League two years in a row.”