Football

Enrique: Barca in perfect form for City

Luis Enrique insists Barcelona are in “perfect form” ahead of their Champions League last-16 second-leg clash with Manchester City at the Nou Camp on Wednesday.

Barcelona go into the game 2-1 up after the first leg at the Etihad Stadium, and sit top of La Liga after a 2-0 win at Eibar on Saturday.

The Catalan club then face bitter rivals Real Madrid on Sunday having won 16 of their last 17 games in all competitions.

“We’re going into the Clasico as leaders and in perfect form,” Enrique said after the win. “But first, we have to focus on City because qualification is at stake. Then we’ll see what happens at the weekend.

“This will be a very nice week with two games in front of our fans, but it is not the most important week.”

Lionel Messi scored either side of half-time against Eibar, but Enrique said the win was not as comfortable as it seemed.

“You must try to be dominant and effective in every match. Our opponent didn’t make it at all easy for us, and it’s essential to be effective in cases like this.

“Eibar didn’t look like a team that have just lost seven in a row. They played good football and fully deserved their great start to the season. I don’t think they’ll have any trouble avoiding relegation.”

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Ihesiulo Grace

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