Luis Enrique claims his Barcelona players are fit and raring to go after enjoying a midweek break while their La Liga title rivals endured physically and mentally draining European encounters.
Barca will more than likely have to win their remaining three games, starting today at mid-table Real Betis, to hold off the challenges of Atletico and Real Madrid and secure the league title.
And although the disappointment of their Champions League exit at the hands of Atletico still rankles, Enrique seized upon the positive of greater preparation time for his team’s remaining fixtures.
“We come into the game in very good shape,” he said. “It has been a different kind of week for us, with more time to rest and more training, and one aim: to beat Betis.”
After a shaky spell which saw them lose three consecutive league games as well as suffering their European exit against Atletico, Enrique’s men restored their confidence by gaining resounding wins in their last two games against Deportivo La Coruna (8-0) and Sporting Gijon (6-0).
The inspiration for those emphatic victories was Luis Suarez, who notched four goals in both encounters to leap ahead of Real; Cristiano Ronaldo as La Liga’s leading goalscorer with 34.
Saturday night’s hosts have nothing to play for, having already assured they cannot be relegated but without any chance of pushing for a European place.
But Betis goalkeeper Antonio Adan, who previously played for Real Madrid, has hit the headlines by admitting he is desperate to scupper Barca’s title hopes by beating them on Saturday evening.
Enrique is unconcerned, though, adding: “I’m not particularly interested in that. “Many professionals are also fans and there will always be players at this or that club who want one team or another to win the league.”
The Barca boss also dismissed the notion that his club’s title rivals may be tempted to ‘pay’ his team’s forthcoming opponents to up their efforts against the current leaders.
There have been accusations of past incidents in La Liga of clubs offering illegal bonuses to teams who can help their cause by beating direct title or relegation rivals in the latter stages of the season.
Enrique said: “I live in an innocent world. I’ve never seen a suitcase full of money and I hope I don’t now. If we win our own games, we will be champions.”