Luis Enrique critical of his Barcelona side as they lose to Real Sociedad 1-0
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique said that his team used more 'heart than head' during their 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad in the Liga BBVA last night. The Catalans went down a goal and couldn't get back into the game throwing the title race wide open.
Mikel Oyarzabal scored a delightful header for Sociedad while Lionel Messi and co couldn't pass and penetrate their defence to get a goal. In goal, Gero Rulli had an excellent game regularly coming to his team's defence and organising the back four diligently.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Enrique acknowledged the bad start and insisted they also focused heavily on the UEFA Champions League game against Atletico Madrid in midweek.
"The game began in the worst way possible," Luis Enrique said. "We played a bad first half. We wanted to turn it around with more heart than head and we needed more control. I liked the second half more.
"Rulli, as usual against us, played a great game. We did not deserve to lose."
"These type of games can weigh on you like a stone," he said. "But all is still to play for. I want to see how we can improve; not to leave here crying but to come out of thinking about what each one can do for the team. The objective is to win (at the Calderon), but it will be difficult."
Despite the loss and the fact that Atletico are only 3 points behind the leaders, Enrique insists his team are still the favourites for the title with 6 games to go.
"But we are still leaders, with a four-point advantage," he said. "To speak negatively does not help the team. Now we must lift ourselves up and leave this nice stadium which is not a good place for us.
"Last year at this stage we just had a two-point advantage, without the goal average. This is a marvellous chance to show we are the best team in the world, as it says on our shirt."
"There is a title race, of course," he said. "The others are pushing, and we have not been at our level in some games. We cannot commit any more mistakes.
"The team which does best in the last games will win this league. I want to see the Camp Nou as full as ever next week against Valencia."