Luis Enrique says he must take full responsibility for Barcelona’s shock 2-1 loss at home to Alaves on Saturday night.
The La Liga champions were humbled by the newly-promoted outfit as goals from Deyverson and Ibai Gomez either side of a Jeremy Mathieu effort proved the difference.
Enrique feels Barcelona must improve in the weeks ahead and the head coach admits he was concerned by his side’s defending.
“We were fragile in defence and we will have to go over that,” he said in his post game news conference.
Enrique rested a number of players after the international break with Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto all missing, while Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta came off the bench.
The defeat hands Real Madrid an early advantage in the fight for the league crown and Enrique says he must accept the blame for the loss.
“I’m the most responsible for that and I accept [the criticism],” he added.
Barcelona are 3/1 to win the Champions League outright and Real are 5/1.
Source: bet365