One down, two to go for Luis Enrique, Barcelona
Monday, May 18, 2015
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FC Barcelona coach Luis Enrique is hopeful Sunday's 23rd Liga title is the first step towards three trohies this season, saying: "We have to do everything we can."
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After sealing the Liga title in his first season in charge – and the first part of a potential treble – FC Barcelona coach Luis Enrique hailed the work of his entire squad on Sunday.
Lionel Messi's classy second-half goal earned a 1-0 win at Club Atlético de Madrid, the team who had denied Barcelona the title at the Camp Nou exactly a year earlier. "Winning the league gives us all a huge sense of satisfaction because it is the competition that requires the most consistency, and because it means we have been playing at the highest level for the whole year," Luis Enrique said.
"Right now I'm thinking of everyone who has helped us to win this title, and our fans," the 45-year-old coach added. "There have been times when we've struggled, but the numbers are there for everyone to see. We've conceded just 19 goals and scored so many. This has been a remarkable season."
The title marks the first trophy of Luis Enrique's coaching career, adding to the two Ligas he won with Barcelona as a midfielder in 1997/98 and 1998/99, but the coach insisted his side would not be over-celebrating. A Copa del Rey final against Athletic Club at the Camp Nou awaits on 30 May and the following week Barça head to Berlin to do battle with Juventus in the UEFA Champions League final. A treble would be a second in the club's history after Josep Guardiola's side managed it in 2008/09.
"There are still two trophies left to win before we can truly evaluate this season, but winning the league makes us very happy," Luis Enrique went on. "We have three games left, two of which are finals. We have to do everything we can to win those games," he added.
Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who made vital saves to deny Atlético's José María Gimenéz and Guilherme Siqueira, celebrated his first title win just 11 months after joining Barcelona. "We have to celebrate and we go home feeling so happy. This has been a positive league campaign in every aspect," said the Chilean, who is set to pick up the prestigious Zamora prize awarded to the keeper with the fewest goals conceded in the league.
Midfielder Sergio Busquets meanwhile reflected on his fifth Liga triumph. "We've been the best team in the league by far and we deserve this prize," he said. "This is the most important trophy of them all because you fight for it every week, it's all about consistency. Now we have two more trophies to win, two more big games to play. I think this will be an historic season."
Although Barcelona won the league with one week to spare, this has been anything but a smooth campaign after trailing Real Madrid CF by four points back in February. "This league has cost us a lot and we should appreciate it," left-back Jordi Alba said. "It was very complicated because Madrid pressed us from the start to the finish. This is a wonderful day, one we should enjoy."
Gerard Piqué added: "This has been a fantastic year. We have given everything and this title is our reward. Last year was difficult but we picked ourselves up. I'm so proud to be part of this generation of Barcelona players."