Barcelona need to score five goals in 'nothing to lose' clash against Juventus, says boss Luis Enrique
Wednesday 19 April 2017 20:21, UK
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique is targeting a second successive unlikely comeback victory in the Champions League and admits his side have another mountain to climb.
The Catalans made Champions League history by reversing a 4-0 first leg deficit to beat Paris Saint-Germain 6-1 in the previous round, but will need to produce another miracle performance at the Camp Nou on Wednesday as they trail their quarter-final tie 3-0.
Outgoing boss Enrique believes his side need to hit at least five goals past Juventus to reach the semi-finals in what could be his last European game for the current La Liga champions.
"We need to score fewer goals," said an optimistic Enrique. "But bearing in mind the opponent could have chances and the goal can come at any moment, our objective is to score five."
Enrique predicted Barca's recovery in the last 16, believing his forward line of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar were capable of scoring six against the French champions and is confident that a fervent crowd will play their part as they did against PSG.
"We don't have anything to lose. We are free from pressure. Juventus have the semi-finals in their pocket and will have to decide whether to sit back or attack," Enrique added.
"We only have one option which is to attack, attack and attack again.
"I am sure that if we score the first goal, the Camp Nou will score the second and the third will come of its own accord."
Barca captain Andres Iniesta was more pessimistic; recognising the first leg in Turin had been "a terrible result".
However, he is adamant that Barca have the potential to create doubt in Juventus' minds.
"Nowadays teams respect us a lot. I am convinced they know we can cause them problems," said Iniesta.
"We have the potential, the players and reason to believe we can turn this tie around or at least get close to it.
"We need to create doubts so at some point they see the tie is in danger.
"Everything depends on playing a perfect game in every sense."
Barca scored three times in the final two minutes plus stoppage time as PSG lost control of the match in a grandstand finish last month.
Enrique insisted Barca can't lose belief even if the goals don't come early against an experienced and resolute Juventus defence that has conceded just two in nine Champions League games this season.
"Don't leave in the 80th minute," he said in a message to the fans.
"We are going to try until the end. Those of us who experienced the game against PSG have another chance to experience a historic night.
"We have seen that Barca can score three goals in three minutes so we will stay together until the 95th minute."
Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini won his latest battle with Suarez in the first leg after the Uruguayan famously bit the Italian at the 2014 World Cup.
Chiellini scored his side's third goal a week ago after Paulo Dybala's early double and is aware Juventus will need all their experience in the face of Barca's "sharks".
"We will have to play without fear because they are like sharks - they smell blood and they finish you off," he told Sky Sports Italia.
Juventus right-back Dani Alves believes his old side have as much as a 40 per cent chance of advancing on his first return to the Camp Nou after eight successful seasons with the Catalans.
"I know Barca well and I think right now we are 60-40," said the Brazilian.
"If we win tomorrow it will be a very special feeling because we will eliminate the best team in the world."