What plan does Luis Enrique have for MSN trident against Athletic Club?

Barcelona return to training Monday afternoon in what will be the first session of the New Year for the club’s players. 

Luis Enrique now has all his players back, after Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar and Javier Mascherano ended their extended breaks. The squad don’t have much time to get back into their rhythm, either, with Thursday bringing the first game of 2017: a trip to San Mames to face Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey. 

Barça coach Luis Enrique and his players have been preparing for the game for the last few days. However, the big doubt is whether the trident will be involved against the Basque side. 

The three forwards, who have been off for two weeks, will have 72 hours to prepare for the match. In theory, it’s enough time to recover sensations. However, Barça then have an important league game three days later, against Villarreal at El Madrigal. 

On one hand, the team need all their power in attack against Athletic, one of the toughest rivals left in he cup. On the other hand, Barça are three points behind Real Madrid in La Liga (having played a game more) and cannot afford another slip up. 

That dilemma could see Luis Enrique opt for rotation in attack. That’s to say, the trident may not all be involved in both games for 90 minutes. 

STRUGGLES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR

Luis Enrique has not known how to start the calendar year on a good note since taking charge at Camp Nou. In each of his first two seasons he’s dropped points at the beginning of a new year.

Last season, Barça began with a goalless draw against Espanyol. Luis Enrique played the MSN trident at Cornella-El Prat, but the team was incapable of securing the win. 

In 2014-15, the Catalan side began with a defeat at Anoeta in a game which will be remembered as the point of inflexion for Barça’s second ever treble. Luis Enrique left Leo Messi and Neymar on the bench, starting just Suarez. In the second half he brought on the Argentine and the Brazilian, but it was too late. 

Beyond the loss, it became public that Messi and Luis Enrique had had a disagreement. The Argentine missed the open training session the following day and the squad’s annual visit to the local hospitals. Meanwhile sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta was sacked and president Josep Maria Bartomeu called elections for the summer. 

However, that crisis ended with a miraculous recovery as the season ended with success in La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.