FC Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique not making any excuses

Luis Enrique spoke to the media ahead of Saturday's game against Granada and highlighted the inevitability of his players getting injured as "we try and avoid taking risks, but with our fixture list it is normal to have injuries." The Barça coach referenced the team's packed schedule which sees them take on Granada, Manchester City and Sevilla in the next week.

However, the Barça manager isn't making any excuses and is confident in his team: “We are a great squad and we have the capacity to resolve these difficult situations.” Moreover, he highlighted the depth at his disposal and commented on players from the second team, like Marlon, Nili and Aleña, saying “I am very happy with all of the academy players who help us out. They are a positive resource.”

Here are the highlights of what he had to say:

"I am interested in the sporting side of things, my focus is on the game against Granada. We are used to controversies."

"The attitude of my players gets us the fair play awards, playing good football, not kicking people, our values. We're the team with the least cards."

"Tomorrow, when the doctors see Rafinha, Cillessen and Arda we will make a decision on them, they could make the squad. It is a period of the season where unusual things have happened but this is to be expected and we need to know how to manage it."

"It's not a risk to play with someone who might get a suspension if he gets a yellow card, if he gets a card someone else will play the next game."

"The majority of rivals adapt to what we do. Depending on what I want we have different types of players to chose from in the midfield positions."

"Alcacer is playing excellently, he just needs to put the ball in the back of the net. The goal will come."

"To Guardiola's critics I have one thing to say: don't worry. He will win titles and will continue to play attractive football. You need to have an idea and take it as far as you can go with it."

"The international players barely get holidays and free time so I like to give them a rest whenever I can."