Barcelona boss Luis Enrique labeled harsh treatment dished out to his players by Barca fans nonsensical as the Spanish champions squeezed past CD Leganes 2-1 on Sunday.
Following a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain last week, Barca needed a last-minute Lionel Messi penalty to see off a Leganes side without a win since November last year and on their first ever league visit to the Camp Nou.
Messi had given Barca a fourth-minute lead, but jeers rang around the Camp Nou when Unai Lopez leveled 19 minutes from time.
Photo: AFP
“As a fan, booing a player of your own team for me makes no sense,” Enrique said.
Much-criticized midfielder Andre Gomes received the brunt of the boos as he was replaced 10 minutes from the end.
“What can clearly help the team and the players is the support that we saw from the majority of the fans throughout the game, and especially in the final minutes,” Enrique said. “That is what makes us stronger. Andre’s case annoys me.”
However, the Barca boss said he had no such problem with criticism directed his way.
“I am the coach, and after the result and performance we saw in Paris it is logical,” Enrique said.
“I accept any criticism, but those on the pitch need to be in the best state possible. The games are difficult enough as they are. If you add this on top of it, I don’t think it helps,” he said.
The victory ensured Barca moved back up to second place and to within a point of Real Madrid, who have two games in hand.
Barca face a much stiffer test next weekend when they travel to Atletico Madrid, but Enrique highlighted the psychological importance of getting the three points, despite a poor display.
“A slipup today would have been almost definitive. Not in terms of points, but on an emotional level,” he said. “I am convinced that the team is going to improve and immediately.”
The Spanish champions were thankful to a series of fine saves from Marc-Andre ter Stegen as he was unexpectedly busy.
“It has been a difficult week for everyone without a doubt,” the German goalkeeper said. “The most important thing is that we were able to win today. That will give us a bit of confidence, which we need for the weeks ahead.”
Ter Stegen echoed his coach’s call for a show of unity from the Barca faithful.
“Everyone that is on the field tried their best and I think the most important thing is to support us at times like we have had this week with the 4-0 defeat in Paris,” he said. “We need the fans, above all at home, to support us. We can win or lose together, but the most important thing is that we are united.”
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care