“The tactical set up did have its risks but we faced up to it and I’m proud”, said Luis Enrique, who watched Messi net his fifth goal of the week from the penalty spot following a hat-trick against Celtic, before Rafinha scored with a wonderful long-range strike.
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Rafinha felt Leganes’ ambitious approach left them vulnerable as Barcelona returned to winning ways in LaLiga with a 5-1 triumph. But there was a glaring hole in the Catalans’ team – no Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
Leganes holds 13th position with just four points out of four matches.
On Saturday, the three got another crack at things against Leganes. First team Asier Garitano away Celta won 1: 0, and stopped in the second round in his field of Atletico Madrid, played in a draw 0: 0.
Barcelona thrashed Celtic 7-0 on Tuesday in the Champions League, the club’s biggest ever win in the competition, with a vastly different starting lineup to the one that lost to Alaves.
Suarez doubled the result in the 31st minute, while Junior Neymar scored the third goal 13 minutes later.
“It was important to win today, every three points are important”.
The two linked up again in the 31st when left all alone against two back-tracking defenders. But Messi, Suarez and Neymar sure make it easier.
Leganes did get a consolation, as Gabriel bent a superb free-kick around the wall and out of the reach of Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Lionel Messi opened scoring after 15 minutes, as he received a pass from Luis Suarez. Barcelona will have to move the ball a lot faster than they did against Alaves’ five-man defence if they are to break down their rivals.
“You make even the smallest little mistake and they punish you”, Appelt said about Barcelona’s superiority.
After making many changes to the Barcelona team in the past week, manager Luis Enrique says he only has one squad and called for unconditional support for all members of the first team.
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Later on Saturday, Atletico hosts Sporting Gijon, Las Palmas welcomes Malaga and Sevilla is at Eibar.
