Barcelona remain focused on Ajax

Neymar: “Tomorrow we have a match we have to win, and only after that we will start thinking about El Clasico.”

Barcelona remain focused on Ajax

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique insists his team’s focus is solely on Tuesday night’s Champions League meeting against Ajax, with all thoughts of the upcoming El Clasico pushed to one side for now.

The Catalan club have a busy few days ahead, with the visit of Dutch champions Ajax swiftly followed by Saturday’s eagerly-anticipated clash with bitter rivals Real Madrid in the domestic Primera Division.

El Clasico is already making headlines in the Spanish media, yet Enrique is not interested in anything but the European competition, in which they will be looking to bounce back from last month’s defeat to Paris St Germain in Group F.

He told a press conference: “The only game we have on our minds is that of Ajax.

“Ajax are a very well-organised team that know how to attack. After winning a game and losing another, the third is a huge match for us. It’s at home and very important for our qualification. And we need the support of the fans.

“We are used to playing every three or four days, and the most important match for us at the moment is the one against Ajax, not El Clasico.”

Ajax are also foremost in the mind of Brazil forward Neymar, who believes the Eredivisie titleholders will be no pushovers.

He said: “Tomorrow we have a match we have to win, and only after that we will start thinking about El Clasico.

“It will be a very difficult and a very important match. We always play to win but I believe Ajax to be a great team both in defence and in attack. We will have to work hard to win.”

Barca defender Adriano has been ruled out of the game with hamstring trouble, while there are also doubts over the fitness of midfielder Sergio Busquets.

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