Barcelona boss: Failure to beat Chelsea or Manchester United was 'acceptable'



Barcelona boss Luis Enrique says his side's USA tour results have been 'acceptable'



LUIS ENRIQUE says Barcelona had an "acceptable" pre-season tour - despite their failure to beat Manchester United or Chelsea.

The Barcelona manager discussed the value of his side's tour of the USA after being held to a 2-2 draw with Jose Mourinho's Chelsea team.

Goals from Luis Suarez and Sandro put the Liga champions ahead after Eden Hazard had opened the scoring, only for Tim Cahill to equalise late on.

 

Chelsea won the tie 4-2 on penalties, adding to United's 3-1 victory over Barca last weekend.

"We didn't lose the game, we drew," Enrique said.

"It was a game played at a high physical level. We got ourselves in the lead, although there were times when we didn't control the game well enough."

 

"We leave happy with everything.

"Against Manchester United we had a great game. What worries me least of all is the results.

"We have been at an acceptable level on this tour. In a few days, we'll have everyone back together and for sure, we'll go forward with motivation."

 

Barca won the treble last season by clinching the Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League titles.

They are unable to strengthen their side in the transfer market due to a FIFA embargo on player transactions until 2016.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have boosted their squad with the arrival of on-loan forward Radamel Falcao from Monaco and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic from Stoke.

As for United, manager Louis van Gaal guided the team back into the Champions League for the upcoming season and has spent big money signing five players, with another expected to arrive before the deadline shuts.

United face PSG in their final tour game on Thursday morning before heading back to Manchester to prepare for a Premier League opening-day clash with Tottenham.