Luis Enrique refused to condemn Lionel Messi and Gerard Piqué for attending a casino just hours before Barcelona flew to England for their Champions League match with Manchester City.
Messi and Piqué were photographed outside the Casino de Barcelona late on Sunday evening, alongside Chelsea’s Cesc Fàbregas, a former Barcelona team-mate, who is understood to have an apartment in the same complex.
This came the day after Barcelona lost 1-0 to Málaga at Camp Nou, ending a run of 11 successive wins for Enrique’s team.
Piqué stated it was “my private life, we just had a nice time there”, while Enrique attempted to shrug off the issue. Asked if he was happy the two players were out after Saturday’s defeat the coach said of the questioner: “This must work for one of the Spanish channels – Cuatro and laSexta – I’m sure.”
This referred to two stations that have a reputation for gossip in Spain. Enrique then asked what the players had said at an earlier press conference and was informed of Piqué’s response. “It forms part of his private life,” the coach said. “I concentrate on football, I’m not concerned about things outside of it.”
Yet with Enrique and Messi reportedly not enjoying the best relationship the episode suggests the coach’s authority over his star player may be weak, and is not the ideal preparation for Tuesday night’s last-16 first leg at the Etihad Stadium.
Yaya Touré is suspended and Piqué believes City are not the same team when the Ivorian, a former Barcelona team-mate, is missing. “He is a very important player for them,” said the defender. “When he was at Barça, he makes us very [strong] in defence. When he plays and when he doesn’t there is a difference when he isn’t there. We have to focus on playing our game, have the ball, have control and try and play on the counter and control any counters they have.”
Piqué brushed off Vincent Kompany’s claim that Stoke City can provide a harder opponent over the course of a full match. “If that’s the way it is then fine,” he said.
