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Luis Enrique branded Andre Gomes' critics "pathetic and lamentable" after the Barcelona midfielder was blamed for Saturday's 2-0 La Liga defeat to Malaga. Gomes, 23, joined Barca last summer from Valencia for an initial fee of €35 million, which could eventually rise to €55 million with add-ons, but has struggled to adapt his new surroundings. Despite making 38 appearances in all competitions, he has been widely criticised by supporters and the local media for his performances throughout the season. After the Malaga loss, Diario Sport pointed out that Gomes has started Barcelona's last five slip-ups, adding they've won 10 of the last 11 games when he has not featured at all. "I think is that it's a bit pathetic that you individualise a defeat on one or two players," Luis Enrique said on Monday. "So I'm going to defend my player: it's a team sport and I think it's pathetic. I think it's totally unfair, undeserved. Obviously we all need to improve, but to single out players is lamentable." Luis Enrique said it was possible -- but would not confirm -- that Gomes could replace the suspended Sergio Busquets against Juventus on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal. "Busi is a vital player for us, looking at his statistics will show important he is as part of the team," said Luis Enrique. "But we have resources to cover for him. There are players that can take that position. I won't tell you what I'm going to do. "Maybe [Juventus coach Massimiliano] Allegri will tell you what they're going to do. I've seen them do many things -- sit back, attack -- they know how to play different kinds of football. But we will play our game, which is to go out and try and win from the start." Barca reached the last eight by beating Paris Saint-Germain 6-1, having lost the first leg 4-0 in the French capital and Javier Mascherano warned the Blaugrana they won't get away with being as lax in Turin as they were in Paris. "If you're not at your best or don't rise to the occasion in the Champions League then you're punished," he said. "So the important thing to have in mind is to be aware that we're playing a powerful team, who are at home, where they are very strong and have impressive numbers. "From the start they'll be hungry because of the atmosphere here, so we have to play well all over the pitch. And as we always say, we need to be ourselves, be recognisable and if we can do that we will be close to our best version."
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