Luis Enrique and his side’s confidence will be sky high after thrashing bitter rivals Real Madrid 4-0 in the La Liga on Saturday. But ahead of facing Enrique’s former side AS Roma in the champions league group stage, the Spaniard expects the Italians to be offensive, and reckons the game to be far more open that the last time the two teams met.
The Giallorossi travel to Spain knowing that Bayer Leverkusen can move above them if they lose. It will be a tough game for the Italians, as Barcelona are in top form at the back of a 4-0 bashing of Real Madrid.
Roma will take the game to the opposition
But Luis Enrique knows AS Roma are in a do or die situation, and will throw everything they have to qualify for the next round. He expects a difficult match-up.
“Roma need points now, and ita s important for them to play a high-level game,a Enrique explained in his pre-match Press conference, as reported by the club’s official website.
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a We expect a much more open game than the first leg [a 1-1 draw]. For Roma ita s an attractive situation, to come to Camp Nou and win.”
Facing his former team
Enrique has previously managed AS Roma in the 2011-12 season, but the 45-year old suggests his team will try and win the game, even if it means Roma are eliminated.
“Ia ll do my job as Coach of Barcelona, and try to win every game. Ia ll do my work as Ia ve always done. I hope Roma go through, but Barcelona above all.a
Barcelona have been in fine form even in Messi’s absence, with Andres Iniesta stepping up for the Blaugrana. AS Roma would have to pull off a spectacular performance if they are to go through to the knockout stage, knowing that Bayer Leverkusen will pounce if they slip-up.