Barcelona coach Luis Enrique says he is not out for revenge in Saturday's La Liga clash with Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou -- just another three points to bring his side closer to the title.
Barca's 1-0 defeat to David Moyes' side in January's reverse fixture led to a torrent of criticism among Blaugrana fans and pundits, and Luis Enrique appeared to be heading for the sack due to a breakdown in his relationship with Lionel Messi.
However, since that game Barca have won 27, drawn one and lost one of 29 in all competitions, and Wednesday's 3-0 Champions League semifinal first leg victory over Bayern Munich has left many hailing the coach's tactics and dreaming of a historic Treble win.
Luis Enrique told his pregame news conference that he does not feel any particular rancour towards Saturday's opponents as the odd defeat is always likely during the season, while an over-the-top reaction to such a loss is not a surprise.
"I am not holding anything," he said. "It was a defeat like any other -- apart from the reaction which follows when a big team loses. From there, the team has been on a good run. It was planned to win all 38 La Liga games, but it was not possible. I believe the team has kept to a high standard, although some low moments are normal during the season."
Luis Enrique said he is aware that his team need to guard against another low in Saturday's game, given the emotional high of Wednesday's victory against former Barca boss Pep Guardiola's Bayern.
"After a game of maximum intensity, it is true that games in another competition can be dangerous," he said. "But the chance to close in on La Liga makes this into another game of maximum importance. We must have our fans behind us 100%. It is key to win these three points to be champion.
"We already know La Real are one of the few teams who have beaten us. Too much confidence does not help, in every game the objective is to be better than the opponent."
Too much squad rotation appears unlikely at this stage of the season, even ahead of Tuesday's second leg in Munich and the La Liga game at third-placed Atletico Madrid the following weekend.
"You will see soon," Luis Enrique replied when asked if he would rest any players against La Real. "We have five finals left to play. And, god willing, it will be six if we are better than Bayern."
The potential La Liga players' strike, backed earlier in the week by Messi, has led some reports to suggest that the season could finish early, meaning three points against Real Sociedad would make Barca champions, or a slip allowing Real Madrid to take the title.
Luis Enrique said he did not expect such a course of events and called on all parties involved to get together and resolve their differences through dialogue.
"I hope we do not get to that point," he said. "Dialogue should prevail. All parties are right in some ways. It is difficult to know who would benefit from a strike. We have planned for the season to end when it was supposed to end."