"Barcelona boss said he lamented his team's "misfortune" 

Luis Enrique: "Sometimes it's good to lose": Luis Enrique said that a defeat like the one against Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup "isn't always a bad thing, because it makes you realize just how tough it is to win titles".

At the post-match press conference, the Barcelona boss congratulated Athletic, who in his opinion "deserved to lift" a title which they won in the first leg at San Mamés. "It's good to lose every so often, in order to remember just how tough it is to win. You have to know how to win and lose".

Despite the defeat, Luis Enrique sent out an encouraging message to the Barcelona faithful: "Playing in both Super Cups was a reward for everything we achieved last season. Our new league campaign gets underway on Sunday. It's going to be really hard to win titles, but we have to remain optimistic. We want to keep challenging and being a global role model".

When asked about the draw at the Camp Nou, the Barça boss said he lamented his team's "misfortune" in front of goal during the first half, adding that the final was over as soon as Velasco Carballo sent off Gerard Piqué for protesting an offside decision. "It was all over as soon the red card came out. It had been a great final until Gerard was sent off. We looked good for 57 minutes".

When asked if he was concerned at not having his newest recruits at his disposal due their FIFA transfer ban, Luis Enrique said he regretted not having Arda Turan or Aleix Vidal until January, but that he has a competitive squad: "The team look good to me. We're a closely-knit, competitive squad, and we'll face the new season with the outstanding players we already have".

Luis Enrique did not bite his tongue when asked about Pedro Rodríguez's situation at the club: "I can't wait for the damned transfer window to close so I know what players I have at my disposal".