TheNew Year break has helped Barcelona's players to rest, with Luis Enrique incredibly pleased with the energy shown by his players in the first training sessions of the year. Asked about his MSN trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, the coach explained that they had returned in even better shape. "They have come back looking better than they were when they left, which is pleasing," he said in Wednesday's press conference. "I am very impressed with the way they have come back and with their performances in training. "Discussing Thursday evening's Copa del Rey clash with Athletic Club, the Asturian coach praised the way the Bilbao-based side presses and stated that he expects a tough game. "We know how much quality Athletic have and they always cause us problems with their pressing," he said."It will be a very competitive match-up."I expect to meet Athletic in the big matches, with the team driven on by their love affair with the cup. "He was also asked about the rumours that Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde could one day take over the Camp Nou dugout, but the Asturian wouldn't be drawn into the speculation. Luis Enrique "I like the way he works and he is a top-level coach," Luis Enrique said."As for the rumours, they're a part of the sport."With Jasper Cillessen out injured, there was also discussion over who will start in goal out of Jordi Masip and Marc-Andre ter Stegen. "You will find out tomorrow [which goalkeeper will start] as I must tell the players first," the coach replied. Finally, the 46-year-old looked ahead to 2017 as a whole, outlining his objectives for the rest of the season. "We want to do well in a sporting sense and that's all," he told the assembled media. "The teams that win titles are the ones that deserve them."January will be an important month in order to keep fighting for everything."Thursday evening's Copa del Rey match kicks off in San Mames at 21:15 CET. (Henrik Lehmann)
