Focus on Ajax and then Real Madrid, Luis Enrique tells Barca

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Luis Enrique's Barcelona have a hectic week ahead as they first take on Ajax before facing Real Madrid domestically. Photo: Reuters

Published: 9:47pm, 20 Oct 2014

Barcelona begin the biggest week of coach Luis Enrique's brief reign in charge when Dutch champions Ajax visit the Camp Nou today.

Enrique's men are in need of a win to get their Champions League campaign back on track after tasting defeat for the first time this season in their last European outing at Paris Saint-Germain.

And the Barca boss will be hoping for a trouble free evening with the first El Clasico of the season away to Real Madrid to come on Saturday.

What concerns me now is that they recover, rest and that they go into the game on Tuesday in the best condition possible

Luis Enrique

"What concerns me now is that they recover, rest and that they go into the game on Tuesday in the best condition possible," said Enrique after his side's 3-0 win over Eibar on Saturday.

The former Barca captain is likely to rotate his side once more for the meeting against a former teammate in Frank de Boer's Ajax side.

Xavi Hernandez is likely to be a starter for Barca. Photo: EPA

Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic were rested against Eibar and are likely to return in midfield, but Xavi Hernandez could retain his place after impressing and scoring the opening goal against the Basques.

Xavi broke compatriot Raul's record for the most appearances in Champions League history against PSG and has warned his teammates against looking ahead to the Bernabeu clash.