Enrique wary of Atletico threat

Luis Enrique

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique says he has “blind faith” in his players to keep winning silverware despite the end of the club’s 39-match unbeaten run.

Holders Barca face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Nou Camp on Tuesday, four days after losing El Clasico 2-1 to Real Madrid.

“We had almost forgotten what losing was,” Enrique said on Monday. “Our team has more than enough to keep being the same it has been.”

Despite Saturday’s defeat, Barca could yet finish the season with five trophies. Having already won the Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup, the Catalans are six points clear of Atletico at the top of La Liga and have reached the Copa del Rey final.

“Atletico are very dangerous. It’s going to be very complicated for us,” said Enrique. “I have blind faith in my players and blind faith in the way Barca have been playing in order to win titles the last few years. That is the way we have to keep playing.”

Atletico’s Argentine forward Angel Correa has likened the quarter-final tie to a final.

Atletico are second in La Liga, six points behind leaders Barca, with seven games remaining.