100-up Neymar right to join Barca: Enrique
Barcelona boss praises striker after Brazilian reach century of goals against Granada
Photo: AFP
GRANADA:
Barcelona boss Luis Enrique believes Neymar's sensational return of 100 goals in less than four seasons shows he made the right decision in joining the Catalan giants.
The murky transfer deal that saw the Brazilian join from Santos in 2013 has seen Barca, Neymar and his family face charges of tax fraud and corruption.
However, on the field it has been a great success as Neymar netted his 100th goal in just 176 games with Barca's fourth in a 4-1 rout of Granada on Sunday.
"They are numbers at the reach of a beast of a player," said Enrique. "He is one of the best players in the world at unbalancing defences and at the time his signing was a great decision. It was right for him and of course the club."
Despite signing a new five-year contract in October, Neymar is still constantly linked with a move away from the Camp Nou.
Reports in England on Sunday claimed Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly willing to smash the world transfer record in another attempt to lure him to the Premier League next season.
Enrique, though, hopes the 25-year-old remains at Barca long after he steps down as coach at the end of the campaign.
"I hope he scores 900 more goals and we can continue to watch him for many years at Barcelona."
Barca remain on Madrid’s tails
Barcelona’s win over Granada ensured they stay just two points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
Earlier, Madrid consolidated their advantage at the top thanks to goals from Karim Benzema, Isco and Nacho to beat Alaves 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid still also have a game in hand and the two will meet at the Bernabeu in three weeks' time.
At the Bernabeu, the European champions were grateful to Alaves' wastefulness in front of goal as they moved a step closer to a first title in five years.
"Playing every three days you can't always play perfectly for 90 minutes," said Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane. "We were having problems, we weren't playing well and then all of a sudden Cristiano (Ronaldo) gets the ball, passes it to Isco and he controls and scores. That is what this team has. We know that at any moment we can hurt the opponent."
Real suffered an injury blow inside 10 minutes when Raphael Varane experienced a recurrence of a hamstring injury and had to be replaced by Carvajal.
"Rafa has damaged the same area as before, it isn't as bad as three weeks ago and we hope it is nothing major."
Barcelona boss Luis Enrique believes Neymar's sensational return of 100 goals in less than four seasons shows he made the right decision in joining the Catalan giants.
The murky transfer deal that saw the Brazilian join from Santos in 2013 has seen Barca, Neymar and his family face charges of tax fraud and corruption.
However, on the field it has been a great success as Neymar netted his 100th goal in just 176 games with Barca's fourth in a 4-1 rout of Granada on Sunday.
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"They are numbers at the reach of a beast of a player," said Enrique. "He is one of the best players in the world at unbalancing defences and at the time his signing was a great decision. It was right for him and of course the club."
Despite signing a new five-year contract in October, Neymar is still constantly linked with a move away from the Camp Nou.
Reports in England on Sunday claimed Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly willing to smash the world transfer record in another attempt to lure him to the Premier League next season.
Enrique, though, hopes the 25-year-old remains at Barca long after he steps down as coach at the end of the campaign.
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"I hope he scores 900 more goals and we can continue to watch him for many years at Barcelona."
Barca remain on Madrid’s tails
Barcelona’s win over Granada ensured they stay just two points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
Earlier, Madrid consolidated their advantage at the top thanks to goals from Karim Benzema, Isco and Nacho to beat Alaves 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid still also have a game in hand and the two will meet at the Bernabeu in three weeks' time.
At the Bernabeu, the European champions were grateful to Alaves' wastefulness in front of goal as they moved a step closer to a first title in five years.
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"Playing every three days you can't always play perfectly for 90 minutes," said Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane. "We were having problems, we weren't playing well and then all of a sudden Cristiano (Ronaldo) gets the ball, passes it to Isco and he controls and scores. That is what this team has. We know that at any moment we can hurt the opponent."
Real suffered an injury blow inside 10 minutes when Raphael Varane experienced a recurrence of a hamstring injury and had to be replaced by Carvajal.
"Rafa has damaged the same area as before, it isn't as bad as three weeks ago and we hope it is nothing major."