‘Barcelona Must Forget Malaga Meltdown’

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has said his side must put their shock 1-0 defeat to Malaga behind them as soon as possible with a huge Champions League clash against Manchester City to come on Tuesday.
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Juanmi pounced on an error from Dani Alves to score the only goal of the game at the Camp Nou on Saturday as Barca’s impressive 11-game winning streak was brought to a crashing end.
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The Catalans remain a point behind Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, but could see the European champions extend their advantage to four points when they travel to Elche on Sunday.
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“Defeats are harmful when you suffer them and they’re hard to get over. We have a big challenge in three days and we will try to overcome it,” said Enrique.
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It is the second time this season that Enrique’s men have been stunned at home after also losing 1-0 to Celta Vigo back in November.
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However, unlike on that occasion when bad luck and an inspired goalkeeping performance by Sergio Alvarez denied Barca, Enrique admitted Malaga had been deserved winners on the day.
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“We’re used to these kind of games. I’d like it to be an accident but it is becoming habit, the opposition close up and we can’t find a way through,” he said.
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“These kind of results are sometimes a good reminder that other sides have their qualities. You could consider this a deserved defeat.”
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Malaga’s well-organised defence also frustrated Barca in a 0-0 draw earlier in the season meaning they become the first team since Getafe in the 2007/08 season to keep Barca scoreless over two games in La Liga.
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The four-time European champions dismissed City 4-1 on aggregate at the same stage of the competition last season and have since added the Premier League’s top-scorer last season in Luis Suarez to a star frontline including Lionel Messi and Neymar.