SOCCER-SPAIN/BARCELONA Angry Luis Enrique denies Messi claims of a change in attitude at Barca

Record ID: 257093

  • Title: SOCCER-SPAIN/BARCELONA Angry Luis Enrique denies Messi claims of a change in attitude at Barca
  • Date: 20th February 2015
  • Summary: BARCELONA, SPAIN (FEBRUARY 20, 2015) (REUTERS) BARCELONA PLAYERS ENTERING TRAINING PITCH STRIKER LIONEL MESSI AND NEYMAR AT TRAINING LUIS ENRIQUE WATCHING TRAINING MESSI AT TRAINING PLAYERS TRAINING STRIKER LUIS SUAREZ AND DEFENDER PIQUE HAVING FUN AT TRAINING LUIS ENRIQUE ENTERING NEWS CONFERENCE MEDIA / LUIS ENRIQUE CLOSE UP OF LUIS ENRIQUE POSING LUIS ENRIQUE AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCA COACH LUIS ENRIQUE, SAYING: "I am not interested in creating problems. I have said it a million times. We are undergoing the normal process of a season. We work on the same matter: on how to beat our rivals. And you think that the truth belongs to you or that people think the way you think. Ok, fine. Have it your way. I am the one in charge here and I give you my opinion. Whether you believe it or not, that is not my problem. I have no intention of lying, I just say what I think. What I consider to be the truth." (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) JOURNALIST SAYING: "Well, I give you my opinion." (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCA COACH LUIS ENRIQUE, SAYING "Ok, fine. This is the second time I have been asked about this matter today. If somebody believes it is different, fine. But I am the manager now and my opinion is what I am saying. I have said it a million times." GOALKEEPER TER STEGEN TRAINING NEYMAR AT TRAINING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCA COACH LUIS ENRIQUE, SAYING: "Every month is important. If you don't do your homework in the first months you don't have the chance to be playing for every title and the chance to win some silverware. Now we are getting closer to the important qualifiers in the Champions League, we have a King's Cup semi finals coming up and important Liga matches ahead. It is an interesting time of the season and it some at a time in which we are in a good shape." MESSI AND SUAREZ WARMING UP NEYMAR AT TRAINING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCA COACH LUIS ENRIQUE, SAYING: "I would have liked to have the lead from day one but there are other rivals and right now it does not only depend on our performance. We must work on winning our game and then we will see what happens next. I would of course have preferred to be leading from the first match till the last one, but that is not possible anymore." VARIOUS OF PLAYERS TRAINING
  • Embargoed: 7th March 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA2WHJ5BOPJUZ3OCPJNQ4P3XOPH
  • Story Text: Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has angrily denied claims by Lionel Messi that their recent good form is down to a change in attitude.
    The Catalan side has now won their last eleven games in all competitions since they were beaten away to Real Sociedad in the first game back after the Christmas break and are breathing down the necks of La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
    Luis Enrique and Barca's key player had a reported bust-up in the dressing room following that game in San Sebastian but since had apparently buried their differences.
    The coach has maintained the same line over the last month and half that Barca are a team that are in transition and has simply clicked into gear.
    He became visibly irritated over repeated questions about the comments from Messi in the news conference ahead of Saturday's La Liga game against Malaga.
    "I am not interested in creasing problems. I have said it a million times. We are undergoing the normal process of a season. We work on the same matter: on how to beat our rivals," he told reporters n Friday (February 20).
    "And you think that the truth belongs to you or that people think the way you think. Ok, fine. Have it your way. I am the one in charge here and I give you my opinion. Whether you believe it or not, that is not my problem. I have no intention of lying, I just say what I think. What I consider to be the truth," he added angrily.
    "This is the second time I have been asked about this matter today. If somebody believes it is different, fine. But I am the manager now and my opinion is what I am saying. I have said it a million times," he added.
    Luis Enrique then refused to answer more questions on the subject as he was asked about the same issue up to four times.
    Messi, speaking at a publicity event in Barcelona on Thursday (February 20), had told reporters said that the Sociedad game was a turning point.
    The Argentine star has been back to his best having apparently found a new desire as Barca enter the business end of the season and fans will be hoping that this difference of opinion will not lead to a crack in his truce with the uncompromising Luis Enrique.
    Barca face Manchester City on next week in the Champions League last 16 first leg and Luis Enrique believes their good shape can help them win a silverware that was highly missed last season.
    "Every month is important. If you don't do your homework in the first months you don't have the chance to be playing for every title and the chance to win some silverware. Now we are getting closer to the important qualifiers in the Champions League, we have a King's Cup semi-finals coming up and important Liga matches ahead. It is an interesting time of the season and it some at a time in which we are in a good shape," he said.
    Barca are one point behind leaders Real Madrid and play Malaga on Saturday (February 21). The "blaugranas" could take La Liga's lead with a win if Real Madrid falls to Elche on Sunday (February 22).
    But Luis Enrique said he is not focused on leading the standings but on winning match by match
    until the end of the season.
    "I would have liked to have the lead from day one but there are other rivals and right now it does not only depend on our performance. We must work on winning our game and then we will see what happens next. I would of course have preferred to be leading from the first match till the last one, but that is not possible anymore," the 44 year old said.
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