Luis Enrique slams Barca's 'worst performance' since taking charge

Posted Monday, November 28, 2016 by ESPN

Lionel Messi and Barcelona were forced to come from behind to earn a share of the points against Real Sociedad.

Luis Enrique branded Barcelona's performance against Real Sociedad the worst of his time in charge of the club and said it was a "miracle" they escaped with a point.

Barca were played off the park on Sunday as their winless run at Anoeta extended to eight games, stretching back to 2007.

However, Lionel Messi's second half goal, which cancelled out Willian Jose's opener, did end a run of four consecutive league defeats for the Blaugrana in San Sebastian.

"It's easy to explain [the result] because Real Sociedad were superior to us in all aspects," Luis Enrique said after Barca dropped points for the second week running in the league.

"It's almost a miracle that it's ended 1-1. They've not allowed us to string five passes together, they pressed us as and when they wanted, they won all the battles and you have to say that to be goalless at halftime was a miracle.

"In the second half we improved a little, but not enough. We got back into the game through an isolated moment between Messi and Neymar, but there was little else.

"It's the worst performance since I have been in charge. We didn't deserve the point we're taking back to Barcelona."

The result sees Barca slip six points back from Real Madrid going into next weekend's Clasico at Camp Nou.

Speaking after the game, Gerard Pique said it will be difficult for Barca to win the league if they don't improve, but Luis Enrique didn't want to add any weight to his defender's comments.

"I think it's dangerous to say things in the heat of the moment because not everything will be right," the Barca coach added.

"You can't say that [you can't win the league] after the 13th game of the season. It's the correct attitude, though, to think that there are many things to improve."