Luis Enrique's Barcelona reign begins against Elche at Camp Nou on Sunday, with Xavi backing his former team-mate to return silverware to the club...Continue to see full match preview...
The
former Roma and Celta Vigo coach will take charge of the 22-time
Spanish champions in La Liga for the first time on Sunday, having been
drafted in to improve upon an underwhelming campaign under predecessor
Gerardo Martino.
With Barca only winning the Supercopa de Espana
last term, the 44-year-old has been tasked with bringing titles back to
the club he spent eight years at and will have a wealth of new talent
at his disposal.
Luis Suarez's biting ban rules him out until
October while Thomas Vermaelen (hamstring) and Marc-Andre ter Stegen
(back) must also wait for their competitive debuts but pre-season
arrivals Ivan Rakitic, Claudio Bravo and Jeremy Mathieu could all
feature.
Having been named Carles Puyol's successor as captain,
Xavi feels Luis Enrique has the know-how and experience to ensure Barca
win a major trophy this season - an achievement the former Spain
international feels should be guaranteed.
"We have our own way of
playing. Luis Enrique knows this house well and is quite clear on what
the system is. When you see the team training, everything looks good and
I think that all will be fine," the 34-year-old said on Friday.
"Of
course, that has to be proved in the matches. We've made some good
signings and the general feeling is very positive. The team management
is clear on what it wants.
"He knows the club really well and knows that the level of demand is at its highest.
"We know that last year we didn't fulfil the objectives. Every year Barca deserves to win at least one major trophy."
Last
season marked Elche's return to La Liga for the first time in 24 years
and they ensured consecutive top-flight campaigns - a feat not achieved
since 1977 - by finishing a point clear of the drop zone in 16th.
Fran
Escriba has also been active in the transfer market over recent months,
bringing in Mario Pasalic and Przemyslaw Tyton on loan from Chelsea and
PSV respectively, making up for Colombia international Carlos Sanchez's
departure to Aston Villa.
Escriba, who agreed a two-year contract extension during the
close-season, will hope his side can spring an upset in Catalunya, with
Barca potentially missing both Neymar and Pedro.
The Brazil
international suffered an ankle sprain in midweek and could miss
Sunday's fixture while Pedro is suffering with gastroenteritis.
Pedro
scored in the corresponding fixture last term, a 4-0 victory, with
Elche holding Barca to a goalless draw at the Estadio Manuel Martinez
Valero later in the season.
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