Luis Enrique confident on fitness ahead of Champions League quarter-final

FC Barcelona coach Luis Enrique insisted his side had no fitness issues as they prepare to entertain Atletico Madrid in the Camp Nou Stadium on Tuesday in their Champions League first leg.

The game comes just three days after a tired looking Barca lost their 39 game unbeaten record to Real Madrid in front of their home fans on a night when key players looked tired after their travels during the international break.

Luis Enrique was asked about that in his pre game press conference and replied he saw all of his players "in perfect condition."

"It is a long time since we remembered what it is like to lose and so it reminds you how difficult it is to win. We hope Saturday' s defeat helps us win again. I am optimistic," he said.

Central defender, Gerard Pique has said Tuesday will see the best of Barca again, but Luis Enrique said all that professionals "looked for more normality."

He described Atletico as a "top-level side that is difficult to best. They pressure you high up the field, they close down spaces in midfield and they are dangerous from set pieces. That is why they are a big club, but they would be difficult whatever Saturday' s result."

Barca have beaten Atletico in their two league meetings this campaign, but Luis Enrique assured that didn' t mean they were guaranteed to win their quarter-final tie.

"It could rain tomorrow, it could snow, they will have to play very well in both games to knock us out, but any result is possible," he commented. Endit