Barcelona manager Luis Enrique admits his side’s “in a hole” in the wake of its Champions League elimination to Atletico Madrid, and currently it’s not being burrowed out by the likes of Lionel Messi.
The misfiring Argentinian star and his cohorts worked around the Atleti area as if it were an electric field on Wednesday, with Filipe Luis and Diego Godin masterfully working the power switch. Diego Simeone’s squad triumphed 2-0 in the second leg, advancing to the semi-final stage via a 3-2 aggregate scoreline at the expense of the reigning champion.
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“The team are sad. We aren’t at our best at the moment, nor our most effective,” he said. “I’m 99.9 percent to blame – no, 100. That’s why I am the coach, the most responsible. We all have to improve.”
The impressive Antoine Griezmann‘s midweek brace compounded the misery at the Camp Nou that is Messi’s worst goal-scoring drought in six years, and a loss at Real Sociedad in Barca’s last domestic outing. The defeat at the Estadio Municipal de Anoeta last Saturday allowed Atleti to draw within three points of the Catalonian club at La Liga’s summit.
“It is clear that we are not in our best form, especially if you consider how we were playing before, but we need to lift ourselves,” Enrique continued.
Barcelona remains in the hunt not only for the Spanish title, but also for the Copa del Rey crown, with the final slated to be played on May 22 against Sevilla.
Enrique confessed to being slightly surprised at Simeone’s tactical setup in the Champions League final eight tie.
“It was the game we predicted, although perhaps I didn’t expect Atletico to play so deep. It wasn’t our best day,” added Enrique, who won the treble last season – his first year in charge of the team.
“We have to stay calm and think that we still have two competitions where we are in the running.
“Everyone can choose the explanation. To give mine I have to analyse the performance. It is not our best time, but it is not the time to be nervous.”
Barcelona will aim to take out its frustrations against visiting Valencia on Sunday.
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