Luis Enrique up for Supercup, but would prefer one-match affair

FC Barcelona coach Luis Enrique spoke to the press ahead of his side's first leg of the Spanish Supercup which will see them visit Sevilla's Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium on Sunday night.

Barca lost the Supercup 5-1 on aggregate to Athletic Club Bilbao last season, but Enrique denied that defeat had given his players more desire to lift the trophy this season although he admitted it was an "important title" .

"I am very happy with the attitude of my players," he said. "I am pleased with the players who have been here for a long time, those who haven't been here as long and those who have just arrived."

"There are things we need to improve on, but it will be a long season and we are working on that," added the coach.

Luis Enrique said he was content at Leo Messi's decision to return to the Argentinean national team after announcing in the summer he was retiring from international duty.

"It's great news for football," he said.

He also answered questions over the number of goals his side have conceded in pre-season, saying football was "a collective sport, which doesn't just depend on defenders... I know my players and the time advances we will be a difficult side to play, but we have to improve in everything," commented Luis Enrique.

Finally he explained that in order to reduce the risk of early season injuries the Supercup should be reduced to one game "so that players can rest, however, we have to deal with 'Mr Business' and there is a lot of money involved," he concluded. Endit