Luis Enrique bullish ahead of vital Deportivo game

FC Barcelona coach Luis Enrique was in bullish mood ahead of his side's vital trip to face Deportivo la Coruna on Wednesday night for a game they have to win to avoid the risk of losing their leadership at the top of the BBVA Primera Liga table.

Just four games ago Barca enjoyed an 11 points advantage over Atletico Madrid and 12 over Real Madrid, but a run of one draw and three defeats (one of those to Real) has seen that lead evaporate in worrying style with Barca looking flat and tired and with key players well below their best.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, the Barca boss was asked about the possible causes of the collapse, which also saw them knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico.

Although he insisted physical issues were not to blame he said, his players had to "know how to overcome this sort of situation by remaining true to their ideas and by playing football."

He said he "would not be here now," if he didn't think Barca could still win the title, adding that he trusted the "attitude and faith of the players. We are used to playing under pressure, but we have to try and stop our rivals scoring goals against us when they not done much to earn them," he said.

Barca still have an advantage in the table and no matter what Atletico and Real so, they will still be champions if they win their next five matches.

"All I am interested in what Barca does," said Luis Enrique. "We have to win our next game because we are facing difficulties and it is in a difficult ground."

However, he was confident a win in the Riazor Stadium could change everything.

"If we win, we will grow in confidence," he assured, saying the collapse had "not just one cause."

"We have spoken a lot of the need to remain calm and to focus on the next game. Football is like this: if the side with the best players always won, it would be as boring as dancing with your sister," commented Luis Enrique. Endit