Barca shine in Messi’s absence
Squads win titles not stars says Enrique after his team outplays Granada to remain hot on Real’s heels
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique paid tribute to his squad’s strength in depth after they won 4-1 at Granada on Sunday without suspended talisman and La Liga top scorer Lionel Messi to stay on the heels leaders Real Madrid.
The coach rested centre backs Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti and started without captain Andres Iniesta but Barca claimed the points thanks to a tremendous display from Luis Suarez and an impressive showing by little-used striker Paco Alcacer.
“We would obviously like to have every player available all the time but it’s great when you can make up for absent players with the type of squad we have, because it is squads that win you trophies”, Luis Enrique told reporters.
“These games after international breaks are always special and a bit harder but we produced a solid performance. The game became complicated with their equaliser in their only chance of the game but we managed to turn it around quickly and get a big scoreline which I think is a fair result.”
ALCACER SCORES
Alcacer was thrown on early after Rafinha was forced off with a knee injury and the former Valencia striker restored Barca’s lead in the second half and laid on the pass for Neymar to complete the scoring and net his 100th goal for the club.
“I’m very happy with Paco, you have to praise his attitude throughout the season as he’s always been at the team’s disposition,” he added.
“He was superb today, participating in two of the goals as well as scoring one and he was a constant danger for Granada.”
Barca trail Real Madrid by two points but will have the chance to climb above their rivals when they visit the Santiago Bernabeu onapril23. Zinedinezidane’s side have a game in hand.
Barca could have used Messi’s precision in front of goal as they passed up a host of chances in the first-half at Nuevo Los Carmenes. Suarez’s first attempted chip over Ochoa came back off the underside of the bar before the Mexican denied Suarez with three saves in as many minutes.
SUAREZ SHOW
The Uruguayan did eventually make the breakthrough when he sent a lovely dinked effort over the helpless Ochoa from Jordi Alba’s through ball.
Granada sent on Chelsea loaneejeremiebogaatthe start ofthesecond-halfand hetook just five minutes to level as his pace proved too much for Barca’s cumbersome backline before finishing low into the far corner.
However, Barca retook the lead 13 minutes later when this timesuarezturnedprovider for Alcacer to net just his fourth goal since joining from Valencia in August.
Any chance of a Granada revival was ended when Uche Agbo was shown a second yellow card eight minutes from time.
Seconds later Barca make the game safe when Ivan Rakitic drilled into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
And Neymar rounded off the win with his 100th goal on his 177th appearance when he tapped home Alcacer’s cross at the far post.
HEAVY CRITICISM
France midfielder Pogba should return against Everton, having been able to take part in a training session on the pitch after Saturday’s match.