Barcelona vs. Almeria
Luis Enrique on Almeria, Neymar's goal drought, Busquets' booking and Mathieu's form
The Barcelona boss spoke to the press on Tuesday ahead of the La Liga match against Almeria. The main point of call was Neymar's form, with the Brazilian's goal scoring dropping off since Christmas
Luis Enrique will meet an old friend against Almeria | Foto: EFE
Sam Marsden | 7.4.2015 | 13:28h.
Luis Enrique says he has no doubts that Neymar will continue scoring goals again soon.
Talking ahead of Wednesday night's match with Almeria, the Barcelona boss claimed he was unconcerned about the Brazilian's goal drought.
Neymar has not scored for Barça in his last four matches, with his last goals coming against Villarreal in the Copa del Rey at the beginning of March.
In total, he has managed just three goals in his last 10 appearances, although he has nothced 26 in all competitions this season.
"I'm not worried about Neymar," Luis Enrique said. "We are talking about a top player. What I am seeing [in training and matches] makes me
sure that the goals will come and he will help the team.
"He's still adding things now which I consider important, too, even if that's not goals."
The Asturian will hope that a goal arrives from his No.11 against Almeria, who will be managed by
former Barça player Sergi Barjuan for the first time.
Here is what else Luis Enqrique had to say on that match:
On Sergi Barjuan: "He is a friend and I am very happy for him [to get the Almeria job]. I hope that he takes advantage of this opportunity... from Thursday!"
On Almeria preparation: "Sergi's not had time to prepare his players. It's difficult enough with six or seven months, imagine just one session. That said, often managerial changes can stimulate [positive] changes."
On Almeria match: "We want to generate a lot of danger. We will go with a side that will allow us to get three points against and luckily I have a squad full of options."
On Jeremy Mathieu: "I judge him on his performances from the beginning of the season. He's been more than good; he has been a good reinforcement. Scoring two goals does not change that."
On four point lead at the top: "It's where we wanted to be [at start of season], but we are also realists and the titles that we dream of will be difficult to win."
On clean sheets: "The data is not good for the defence, but for the group as a whole. For [clean sheets] we need everyone: forwards, midfielders, defenders and goalkeepers."
On Barça's changing style: "I've not seen any team in history play 38 matches the same way."
On meetings with board to plan for the future: "I've not had any meetings with the board."
On Xavi Hernandez: "Xavi is important for us in any month of the year, not just now. He helps us a lot. His decision was to stay last summer. He will decide again [this summer]. He continues to help us a lot on and off the pitch, but he prefers to help us on it!"
On Busquets' yellow card: "Images show I asked him to get a yellow card? No, that is wrong. I asked him to be careful and to avoid a booking."
