DEAD MEN WALKING? BATTERED BARCELONA'S SEASON COULD BE OVER BY THE CLASICO

Luis Enrique's side need to win at home to Real
Sociedad to stay in the race for La Liga
, before
attempting a comeback against Juventus on
Wednesday
COMMENT
The magic of the comeback lasted for a month. The
historic turnaround that was Barcelona's brilliant 6-1
win over Paris-Saint-Germain lifted the Catalan club
and got the side's season back on track. But after
back-to-back defeats, the Blaugrana have hit
another crisis point.
Barca fans are annoyed after Juve defeat, admits
Luis Enrique
The 3-0 loss to Juventus on Tuesday night left Luis
Enrique's side needing another epic recovery and after
the game in Turin, the Asturian admitted: "I am less
optimistic this time."
On Friday he had changed his tune somewhat and said:
"We are not going to give in." But, surprisingly and
despite taking responsibility for the loss, he also
added: "I did not get anything at all wrong tactically
in Turin."
Many fans will disagree with that assessment and also
with the coach's team selection in Italy. And as he
hinted on Tuesday, the comeback will be more difficult
this time because Juventus are one of Europe's best
teams - and they also boast one of the game's
meanest defences.
In any case, La Liga comes first and Luis Enrique
cannot neglect the Primera Division as his side seek to
stay on the heels of fierce rivals Real Madrid a week
before the Clasico clash at the Santiago Bernabeu
next Sunday.
B arca team news for Real Sociedad clash
Barca are at home to sixth-placed Real Sociedad on
Saturday and against a team looking to qualify for
Europe via the league, Luis Enrique surely will not
want to field too much of a weakened XI for the
Camp Nou clash.
With their Champions League hopes very much in the
balance, it is imperative that the Catalans stay in
touch in the Primera Division. Because they are
already three points behind Madrid - and that with a
game in hand for Los Blancos too.
"Losing in the Champions League hurts us," Luis
Enrique said on Friday. "But we are in the process of
improving things, of changing them. We need the
points [on Saturday] to boost our morale and also to
be able to keep fighting for La Liga."