Football
Sam Marsden, Barcelona correspondent 7y

Barcelona's Luis Enrique: Four teams fighting for La Liga title

Luis Enrique says Barcelona are among four teams competing for the La Liga title after Sevilla ended Real Madrid's 40-game unbeaten run.

Barca have won the league in the last two seasons, but it is Madrid, without a title since 2012, who currently lead the way in Spain's top flight.

Zinedine Zidane's side have played a game less than Sevilla, Barca and Atletico Madrid, yet still boast a one, two and six-point advantage over each of them respectively.

However, Madrid's 2-1 loss at Sevilla on Sunday -- their first in La Liga this season -- has reignited the battle for top spot.

"It was a positive weekend for us because we got three points, which is all we can do to put pressure on those above us," Luis Enrique said in a news conference on Wednesday.

"I always want the teams ahead of us to lose. It's the halfway stage of the season, there are four teams leading the way and all the teams deserve to be where they are. They are all title candidates. It would be foolish to write off any of the top four."

Both of Luis Enrique's league title wins since taking charge at the Camp Nou have been doubled up with success in the Copa del Rey.

In this season's Copa del Rey, Barca face Real Sociedad at the quarterfinal stage and they travel to Anoeta -- a ground they have not won at since 2007 -- for the first leg on Thursday.

Barca were held 1-1 in San Sebastian in La Liga in November and Luis Enrique admits his side will have to improve when they meet again this week.

"I hope the game's not like the last one against La Real [in November], because even though it was a draw, they deserved to win," he said.

"It will be most important to deal with their high pressure, which will be intense and organised. They play good football, not violent at all, quite the opposite. They can play short or go long and are well structured to play both styles.

"But the day we win at Anoeta is getting closer -- it might be 20 years [away], but it's always getting closer!"

Rafinha is the only Barca player missing the game with an injury, with Luis Enrique saying he may be back to face Eibar on Sunday. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Aleix Vidal and Jeremy Mathieu are the other three players omitted from the matchday squad.

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