Barca wary of Villarreal ahead Copa del Rey clash

BARCELONA coach Luis Enrique has insisted his players should be well warned of the dangers posed by Villarreal in their Copa del Rey semi-final having been pushed all the way by the Yellow Submarine just 10 days ago.

Villarreal travel to the Camp Nou for the first leg of the tie on Wednesday hoping to avenge the only defeat in their last 20 games in all competitions stretching back to November.

A stunning Lionel Messi winner separated the sides on February 1, but Barca twice had to come from behind before eventually emerging 3-2 victors to remain just a point behind league leaders Real Madrid.

“We will analyse the league game and what things we could improve on to attack better and find more solutions,” Enrique said on Tuesday.

“Perhaps that it is a bit easier because the game against Villarreal is so recent.

“We will go into the game with the same mentality as the league match, which is to win the game. We know it is a big game for Villarreal having never been in the semi-finals before, they are having a great season and will pose us plenty of difficulties.

“It is important not to concede given the value that away goals have, but our first objective is to win the game.”

Holding Villarreal scoreless is likely to prove a mammoth task as Marcelino’s men have found the net in each of their last 27 games.

However, Barca have more than enough firepower to overcome the concession of an away goal with Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in fine form.

All three were on target as Barca took their tally to 34 goals in winning their last nine games with a 5-2 victory at Athletic Bilbao, but it was especially important for Suarez to find the net after a five-game goalless streak.

“Luis Suarez is involved in almost all our attacks that end in a goal,” added Enrique in defence of the club’s record signing.

“We are very happy with what he offers us and I am sure he will only improve.”