Deportivo hammering the perfect Manchester City preparation – Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique called Barcelona’s 4-0 hammering of Deportivo La Coruna the “perfect” warm-up ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Manchester City.

Rafinha stole the show with a first-half double and all-round bright performance, before Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi – a second-half substitute following a three-match injury lay-off – completed the rout.

It should have been even more comfortable as Paco Alcacer spurned four glorious chances in the second period, but Luis Enrique was still suitably impressed ahead of Wednesday’s reunion with Pep Guardiola.

“I’m very happy with the team’s effort. We played a very complete game,” he told reporters. “Depor are a side that concede few goals, but we created many chances and scored four.

“This is the perfect way to go into the Manchester City clash. This match was a test and we passed it.”

He also revealed that he is pondering a tactical shake-up against City.

“We’ve got the fastest defenders. Maybe I’m thinking about playing with just three defenders against City – we did it against Paris Saint-Germain,” he added.

The only blip on the afternoon was the fact Alcacer failed to net his first Barcelona goal following his big-money move from Valencia.

The Spain international looks bereft of confidence but Rafinha is adamant it is only a matter of time before he breaks his Barca duck, while he also championed Messi.

“Messi is the best in the world. He’s just as good as it seems,” he told BeIn Sports.

“As for [Alcacer], the only thing he needs is to score. When the first comes, he will score much more. 

“He is a natural finisher. We trust him very much.”