Luis Enrique takes full responsibility for Barcelona's UCL exit
Luis Enrique has taken full
responsibility for Barcelona's UEFA Champions League exit at the hands
of Atletico Madrid, but has stressed they still have plenty left to play
for in the remainder of the season.
Iniesta and Pique admit Barcelona are struggling after Champions League exit
Barcelona duo Andres Iniesta and Gerard
Pique have admitted times are tough at Barcelona after they were sent
crashing out of the Champions League.
The result came after a run of three league matches without a win, including successive defeats at the hands of Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, allowing Atletico to close the gap at the summit to just three points with six matches remaining.
Coach Luis Enrique admitted the team's spirit has suffered as a result, but he wants the players to bind together ahead of Monday's meeting with Valencia.
"Of course they are carrying a disappointment and it's hard to digest, but we are professionals," he said. "It's not just one thing. You can't really find a catch-all solution for everything. I've just got to concentrate on the positive things.
"There are six games until the end of the season and also a cup final. We never thought we had done everything right and just because we've suffered a set-back doesn't mean I'm going to say we've done everything wrong. We need to stay optimistic, there's no point crying.
"We set our targets very high, higher than any other club in the world. It's a self-imposed obligation to win every title, but we have to forget about the Champions League because we cannot do anything about it now.
"I don't think that in La Liga any team has been better than Barca, but the problem with the league is that it's all about consistency. I wouldn't change this team for any other. So let's see if we can turn around this nasty situation.
"We are just thinking about Valencia, but we have three league games this week – that's half of what we've got left. We have to be focused.
"If things are going well and flowing we want them to stay the same, but now we're in a negative stretch we need to really turn things around and be strong. We need to keep solidarity, we need to stick together in every aspect."
Dani Alves has drawn criticism for posting a video on social media imitating his girlfriend Joana Sanz consoling him following the Champions League exit, but Luis Enrique has no problem with the Brazilian's action.
Alves criticised for viral video after Atleti defeat
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu
defended Dani Alves after the defender posted humorous video to bring a
lighter side to the club's current downturn in results.
"Whether it was a wise move, people will have their opinions, but all I can say is he's a competitor who has brought so much to this team. He's a fundamental member of the team.
"I think sometimes people tend to work things to excess and social networks tend to highlight that. I don't think he meant to cause any offence.