Nymar and Leo Messi scored a brace to help FC Barcelona thrash Elche by six goals to nil and give a perfect birthday gift to Luis Suarez, who was dropped from the starting XI for this match. Coach Luis Enrique was very pleased with the performance of his players and said after the game that it is what we should expect from his players in future.
FC Barcelona had already beaten Elche three times this season the Blaugrana heaped more misery on Fran Escriba’s struggling side. Gerard Pique marked his 200th La Liga appearance with opening goal in the first half and the duo of Messi and Neymar run a riot in the second. Pedro, who started the game ahead of Luis Suarez, also joined the party by scoring a goal in stoppage time.
Coach Luis Enrique again made too many changed in his starting XI for this game. He included Bravo, Montoya, Bartra, Rafinha, Xavi and Pedro at the expense of Ter Stegen, Alves, Iniesta, Suarez and Busquetes. But the coach was extremely pleased with the performance of FC Barcelona players and said after the game that he is very optimistic about the future of this Blaugrana side.
“It gives us great hope for the future, for this squad and for what we can become in the near future”, said Luis Enrique.
“I just saw a game that lasted 90 minutes and had different phases. After the first goal things opened and it got easier for us. Ia m very satisfied with my teama s performance over the 90 minutes”.
Luis Enrique also had a special words reserved for Brazil captain Neymar. “Along with the rest of the team, Neymar played fantastically well”.
Neymar, who was brilliant throughout the game, was also pleased with the performance of FC Barcelona.
“Ia m very happy and pleased about everything,” said Neymar.
Neymar also said that ita s difficult to see how FC Barcelona can lose when they show the right attitude.
“Ia m very happy with the season Ia m having. I am always improving. With our attitude, ita s hard to lose.
“Elche started the strongest and they are a good team at home, but eventually we played well and got the win. Now we have to keep doing it.”
