Luis Enrique: "One of the most difficult matches of the season"

CLERMONT

"It's going to be a very tough game, without doubt one of the toughest of the season. We're in first place, they're 18th and they're going to give it everything they've got. We have to see it as a challenge, in front of our supporters, because we're getting ready to suffer. But we'll have the support of our fans, who will be right behind us."

ORGANISATIONAL MANAGEMENT

"We're concentrating on the next match, but from an overall perspective. We have to take into account the players' form and the number of minutes played, and that's how we prepare for the upcoming fixtures."

GONÇALO RAMOS

"He's a player with an iron spirit. He has great ambition, he's an interesting player and I'm happy to have him in my squad. He's always ready to play, whatever the position. He's put in some good performances, he's got good stats, he could do with more game time, but we're at a very high-level club. He's still young, but he's got great potential for the future."

the TURNOVER

"When we start preparing for the season, we know the calendar. There are a lot of variables in terms of players' fitness levels, playing time with the team and with the national teams. Sometimes we have a plan in mind, but certain players can make us change our minds over the course of a season. We've got some important matches ahead of us and we're not champions yet, so we have to play to win. There's this desire to win everything, and I want players who think about the match against Clermont and not the rest."

THE STATE OF OUR TROOPS

"High-level professional football has a high risk of injury. But we have a good medical staff, and our players need to recover quickly, but prevention is very important. The players train in the gym before going out on the pitch. We're all working to ensure that our players perform well and are protected. In any given season, there are injuries, but we have a great staff who do great work."

OUSMANE DEMBÉLÉ

"Dembélé is a player who makes a difference on the flanks and in the middle. But first we have to analyse where our opponents have space. We want to put him in the best possible position to perform at his best. We're working beforehand to find out where he'll be most effective."

MARQUINHOS

"As well as being the captain, the role model on and off the pitch, he is very involved, as if he were a young player. He has a vocation to improve, he always wants to progress. When you see that kind of mentality in more experienced players, it's a powerful thing. He's a great footballer, but off the pitch he's someone who always listens and wants to help the team improve."