Barca players not affected by off-field issues – Luis Enrique

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique insists his players have been at Camp Nou long enough to be able to cope with the off-field issues surrounding the club.

On Friday Barcelona said they would consider “all legal actions” after communications organisation Mediapro alleged the club and former president Sandro Rosell were involved in disclosing their business secrets.

Stars Lionel Messi, Neymar and Javier Mascherano have all been the subject of investigations into tax offences in recent times.

But, speaking ahead of his 100th game in charge of the club at Levante on Sunday, Luis Enrique said: “The team is focused on what we care about and what we prepare for and that is matches.

“There are non-sporting issues, we’re not immune to those. The players have been here for a long time, it’s not easy playing for Barca, that’s part and parcel of the package.”

In his 99 games in charge of Barca, Luis Enrique has won 79, drawn 11 and lost just nine. 

Asked about his record, he added: “I’m proud of everything, the good and the bad that’s part of my 100 games as Barca coach.

“We’ve all enjoyed these 100 games, the stats are what they are because we’ve got the best players.”

Levante are bottom of La Liga, four points adrift of safety, but Luis Enrique is refusing to take them lightly following a busy transfer window for the strugglers.

Luis Enrique said: “Levante have made some very good signings, [Giuseppe] Rossi for example is a player who can surprise us.

“They’re a team that tries to play good football and they’re going to put pressure on us that’s for sure.”