The Barça boss talks positives, the performances of the B team players in a game against ‘a team who needed to win’
Unbeaten with four victories and two draws in six matches, 14 points, top of the group and through to the last 16 of the Champions League before their final fixture of the initial stage, Luis Enrique had plenty of reasons to smile following the 1-1 draw in the BayArena against Bayer Leverkusen. “I felt positive about our performance. I wanted to give the players who have played the most minutes a rest and I saw good signs from us against a team that really had to win,” said the Barça coach after giving the four youngsters in the squad, Samper, Gumbau, Cámara and Kaptoum, a chance to shine against the German side.
“This is like a masters course in ESADE Business School. I am happy with the performance of the players from the B team who have featured today. At times we were overrun by our opponents but I leave happy.”
The excellent performance of Barça keeper Ter Stegen on home soil neither escaped the notice of his coach. “Marc was spectacular, really solid and he gave the appearance of dominating the goal area, [the performance] it reinforces him.”
Luis Enrique was relaxed ahead of the draw for the next round which will take place on Monday at 12.00pm CET in Nyon, Switzerland. “In the last 16 we’ll face whoever we’re lucky enough to be drawn with,” said the Asturian.