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MADRID, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona coach Luis Enrique faces a trial by fans when his side play Leganes in the Camp Nou Stadium on Sunday night.
Although Barcelona are clear favorites to beat the Primera Liga minnows, who they put five goals past earlier this season, they go into the game tainted by the 4-0 humiliation they suffered away to Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The Barca side should have recovered physically from that defeat, but whether or not they have got over the psychological effects of a defeat which all but ends their dreams of European glory for the season is another matter.
Midfielder Sergio Busquets gave a thinly veiled criticism of Luis Enrique on Tuesday when he commented Paris had prepared for the game, with the implication that Barcelona had not and although striker Luis Suarez insisted that "all of us are to blame," the spotlight is very much on the coach.
Luis Enrique looked under pressure when he responded badly to a post-game interview on Tuesday and when his side take to the pitch on Sunday, it will be interesting to see if the fans respond with cheers or with boos.
Many expect the coach to leave at the end of the season and a negative reception will only serve to heighten those feelings.
Barca are without the injured Javier Mascherano and Arda Turam for the visit of Leganes, while Gerard Pique is suspended, meaning Jeremy Mathieu and Samuel Umtiti are likely to play in central defense.
Meanwhile Rafinha, who will play in a face mask because of a broken nose, will play in midfield, alongside either Andres Iniesta, who looked off the pace in Paris, or Ivan Rakitic, with Busquets getting more game time.
Leganes travel to Barcelona without a win since November 21st and following a painful home defeat to fellow strugglers, Sporting Gijon. Meanwhile Granada's home win over Betis on Friday night means another side is now treading on their heels in the ever-tighter battle to avoid relegation.
