Luis Enrique Happy With Barcelona’s Trip To USA

Luis Enrique insists that he is “happy” with Barcelona’s pre-season tour despite winning just one of their three games in the United States.

After the typical pre-season flurry of changes later in the second-half, Sandro Ramirez lifted a handsome finish beyond the reach of Courtois, only for Tim Cahill to nudge in the 2-2 equaliser for Chelsea. Despite going down to the Premier League champions, the manager was pleased with how Barca’s preseason was progressing. “It was a game of a high physical level, although we had times when we did not control the game“.

“We did not lose the match against Chelsea, we drew”.

“We leave happy with everything”.

The young Brazilian right-back went down after just 16 minutes and in obvious discomfort, resulting in his removal from the game, with the early signs far from positive about the muscular injury suffered.

The right back position has been a problem for Barca and while Dani Alves has renewed his contract with them, they have little cover. All I know are the rumours as I haven’t discussed this matter with him.

When pressed about the Spanish champions’ 3-1 defeat to Manchester United on the tour and the potential defensive issues it raised, he said: “All aspects of our game concern us”.

“We are not a tall team”.

Nonetheless, Enrique was keen to point out: “The balance is very positive”.

“We have been able to get playing time against top quality opposition, we have had the chance to feel the support of lots of fans, who have been the majority in the grounds and we have been able to promote the Club”.

Barcelona do not open their La Liga season until the weekend of August 23.

Three days later, Luis Enrique’s men host Roma in the Joan Gamper trophy at the Camp Nou.