Luis Enrique: It's great news to have Iniesta back for the Clasico

Luis Enrique is delighted to have Andres Iniesta back from injury, with the midfielder making a quick recovery from knee ligament damage to return for Barcelona’s game against Real Madrid on Saturday. 

“The great news for me is always to recover players from injuries and improve the team’s options — and even more so if it’s our captain,” the Barca boss said having the fears initially been that Iniesta would be out for up to eight weeks. 

“Andres is more than our captain, he’s one of the references of Barca’s style of play, without doubt. But I don’t think the style varies too much on the absence, or not, of one player. 

“It depends on all the players, without doubt Iniesta is one of the references, based on his characteristics, of Barca’s play, but there are others, too. It’s great news to have him back.”

As well as Iniesta — and Samuel Umtiti’s return in midweek in the Copa del Rey — Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba will also be available for the game against Madrid, who have a six point lead over the Blaugrana at the top of the table. 

“They’re in the normal process of players who end last game with knocks or whatever,” Luis Enrique said. “[Pique and Alba] are available, they’ve trained and they’re fit to play.”