With the Catalan derby ahead on Saturday, Luis Enrique faced the media for his pre-match press conference but was clearly not in the mood to answer their questions, perhaps because the insinuation from some in the room was that Barcelona could be helped by former players in the title race.
Indeed, even by his standards, the Asturian answered questions with little desire, particularly when a journalist commented that Munir, on loan at Valencia, wants to score against Real Madrid on Saturday.
"I'm not going to get into the game that you have set up at the end of the season," he said.
"We're all professionals and we try to do our job."
Malaga's match against Los Blancos on the final day of the season was also a topic of conversation for everyone apart from Enrique.
"I have no interest in talking about any controversy," he continued.
When focus turned to Saturday's game, Luis Enrique was asked why he wasn't participating in the traditional pre-match photo again.
"I have no interest in commenting on this kind of thing, I've already made a lot of comments on this in the first game," was his terse response.
Espanyol will present Barcelona's most difficult opponent in all of the matches they have left, a fact not lost on the Blaugrana coach.
"The fact of it being a derby implies that it is a special match," he noted.
"Beyond goals, it will be of maximum intensity.
"Winning away from home depends on more things, but we try to give the same image at home and abroad.
"I want to get the best out of my players."
MSN are back together for the fixture, but with fears Neymar could be targeted again for some rough treatment Luis Enrique was asked for his opinion on the Brazilian's temperament.
"He is a specialist in putting up with those situations," he said.
"If there is a player who is on the floor [because of poor challenges], it is Neymar.
"Yes, he's been sent off a few times but he will be vital for us."