criticism recently after a tricky start to the season at
Camp Nou.
Luis Enrique has defended goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen -
stating he is not solely responsible for the goals Barcelona are
conceding.
Having been used primarily in the Champions League and Copa
del Rey last term, the former Borussia Monchengladbach
goalkeeper is currently Luis Enrique's number one, however he
has struggled for form early this term in Claudio Bravo's injury
absence.
Wednesday's 4-1 defeat at Celta Vigo added to pressure ahead
of their weekend clash with Las Palmas but Luis Enrique stated
Barca's current troubles are not just the goalkeeper's problem.
"I don't know what you've said or written so I can't comment on
any criticism," he told a pre-match media conference.
"But criticism is part of the DNA of being a professional and
being a goalkeeper is a very unique situiation. You can very
clearly see if a goalkeeper has helped the team or not.
"The goals we concede are not the fault of Bravo, Ter Stegen or
Jordi [Masip] - it's the responsibility of the whole team.
"We need to concede fewer goals but up to Celta our defensive
stats were very good.
"I don't think the team has lost intensity, the problem is we
played a team who were better than us.
"Their individuals produced goals when needed and that's what
the game was. In defence we need to improve but we played a
very good Celta team who were better than Barca."
Luis Enrique also confirmed Sandro and Jordi Alba are fit after
their injury concerns and could feature at Camp Nou.
"Tomorrow I will announce the list but they are fit," he added.
"Rafinha has had his operation and [Thomas] Vermaelen and
Bravo are progressing well."
No comments:
Post a Comment