- Title: SOCCER-CHAMPIONS/BARCELONA Barcelona prepare to attempt historic treble
- Date: 2nd June 2015
- Summary: BARCELONA, SPAIN (JUNE 2, 2015) (REUTERS) BARCELONA PLAYERS TRAINING PLAYERS LAUGHING AT TRAINING, INCLUDING STRIKERS LIONEL MESSI, NEYMAR AND LUIS SUAREZ AND SPANISH DEFENDER GERARD PIQUE BARCELONA COACH LUIS ENRIQUE WATCHING TRAINING ALONGSIDE ASSISTANTS SUAREZ TRAINING NEYMAR TRAINING MESSI TRAINING PLAYERS, INCLUDING BRAZILIAN DEFENDER DANI ALVES AND FRENCH DEFENDER JE
- Embargoed: 17th June 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Spain
- Country: Spain
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA5LK1XENKMBYQJ7QX28VCAF7N9
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said on Tuesday (June 2) that the chance of winning the treble this season made his team even more motivated for Saturday's Champions League final in Berlin.
Both Barcelona, and Saturday's (June 6) opponents Juventus, are on the brink of history, knowing that Champions League glory will also complete a historic treble.
Having already won the Spanish league and the King's Cup in his first season in charge of the club, Luis Enrique wants to match the achievement of his former team-mate Pep Guardiola, who led Barcelona to their first treble in 2009.
"It is a very attractive situation. But more than conquering the Champions League, we are all very excited about the chance we have to do a treble. The fact that a historic club like Barca has the chance of doing it for the second time shows the magnitude of it and how big the challenge is. It is a more than attractive and motivating goal," said the 45-year old at a news conference ahead of the weekend's final.
Both Guardiola, and now Luis Enrique, have been able to call on talismanic striker Lionel Messi, a player Luis Enrique says is undoubtedly the best player in history.
"There cannot be any doubt that (striker Lionel) Messi is the best soccer player in history. Messi arrived here and adapted to a way of playing that clearly benefits him. All the players in his team are great players, who learned to play having fun and trying to beat their rivals by enjoying the game instead of using physical tactics. So the way we play in this club has of course helped him succeed. If Messi played in a different club he would still be the best, but what surrounds him highlights his quality," he said.
Messi has scored 56 goals in all competitions this season, and scored a brace to secure the second part of Barcelona's treble in last weekend's 3-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the King's Cup.
The three-time Ballon d'Or winner will be looking to win his fourth Champions League trophy with victory on Saturday.
Despite Messi's greatness, compatriot Javier Mascherano warned against an over-reliance on the diminutive Argentine.
Mascherano said anything can happen in the world of soccer, and that in Carlos Tevez, Juventus have their own Argentinean striker with the potential to win the match.
"He (Lionel Messi) has the gift and the talent to do things we others cannot do. No one is invincible. Invincible is a word that neither exists in the world of soccer nor in real life. We win, we lose and both can happen. We have enough resources to win but our rival has a player up front that can make us lose as well," said the defender.
Experienced midfielder Andreas Iniesta agreed that Juventus would make life very difficult for the Spanish champions.
"Being the favourite or not is not important for us. We know we are facing a strong and tough team. They are not only good in their defence. And it is a final, a Champions League final, and they are seeking the treble as well, so it will be tough," said the 31-year old.
Iniesta's long-time friend and team-mate Xavi Hernandez will be playing in his last game for Barcelona, if selected for Saturday's final, after 24 years at the club.
Xavi joined Barcelona's La Masia youth academy at the age of 11 and has since gone on to win three Champions League and eight La Liga trophies in a glittering club career.
He will leave at the end of the season to play for Qatari club Al Sadd.
Xavi says that winning Barcelona's fifth Champions League would be a privilege.
"We want the fifth one (Champions League trophy). And we want to go down in history. For some of us, it would be our fourth but it would be Barcelona's fifth European trophy. And it would be a privilege."
"I have the chance of playing yet another Champions League final. It doesn't matter whether it is from the bench or on the pitch. The minutes I play will be extraordinary as it will be my last match for Barcelona and it will be a Champions League final. I want to give it my all and try and help the team as much as possible as I always have - and especially this season in which I haven't really played so much. For me that is just extraordinary. My last minutes at Barca in a Champions League final, that is a dream come true," added the 35-year old.
Amongst such an abundance of experience, goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be playing in his first Champions League final in Berlin.
The young German said Barcelona must maintain their concentration in order to be victorious on Saturday.
"I think we made a good season this year. I think we just have to continue, as I said before. We are doing well in the defence and in the offensive and we are prepared for everything. But in the end it is 50-50 and have to be concentrated in all situations. If we stay concentrated we have the chance to win the final and that is our goal for this year," he said.
Barcelona are the only Spanish side to have won the league, cup and Champions League treble. Juventus are hoping to become the second Italian side, after Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan, to achieve that feat. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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