Barca dropping points is party time for media - Luis Enrique

The coach took a swipe at coverage of the Catalans, while revealing that Xavi remains a doubt for Sunday's match but that Neymar is expected to be fit

Luis Enrique has bitterly declared that Barcelona dropping points is "party time" for the media ahead of their clash with Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.

The coach is believed to be fighting for his job at Camp Nou, despite reports of a feud with Lionel Messi dying down over the past few days, following reports of discontent in the dressing room among established players.

And the former Roma coach - in charge at Barca since the start of the season - took a swipe at journalists when asked if victory at Deportivo would be sweeter because it's away from home.

"No I don't think playing away is something that matters, all it means is if we lose or if we draw then it's party time for the media," he told reporters at Saturday's press conference, following midweek qualification for the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.

"The team will always try to win the game. More often than not we will be successful, but the way we play and our attitude will always be there."

Luis Enrique also provided an update on the fitness of star forward Neymar and veteran midfielder Xavi, with the former set to feature against Deportivo and the latter's availability still up in the air due to a calf problem.

"Neymar is fine, he can play. Xavi doesn't yet have medical green light, trained normally, we'll see tomorrow," the coach added.

Jeremy Mathieu, meanwhile, will definitely not be featuring following confirmation on the Catalans website of an Achilles issue.

Barca will face Atletico Madrid on Wednesday in the first leg of their Copa del Rey clash but Luis Enrique insists that "Deportivo is the only match that exists right now".

Posted by Unknown on Saturday, January 17, 2015 - Rating: 4.5

Title : Barca dropping points is party time for media - Luis Enrique
Description : The coach took a swipe at coverage of the Catalans, while revealing that Xavi remains a doubt for Sunday's match but that Neymar is expe...

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