Barcelona Wins Without Messi
Barcelona. Barcelona manager Luis Enrique paid tribute to his squad's strength after it won 4-1 at Granada on Sunday (02/04) without suspended talisman and La Liga top scorer Argentinian Lionel Messi, to stay on the heels of league leader Real Madrid.
Luis Enrique decided to rest center backs Spanish Gerard Pique and French Samuel Umtiti and started without Spanish captain Andres Iniesta, but Barca claimed victory anyway due to a tremendous display from Uruguayan Luis Suarez and Spanish 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," the Barcelona coach told reporters. "It is squads that win you trophies."
"These games after international breaks are always special and a bit harder, but we produced a solid performance from the start. The game became complicated with [Granada's] equalizer in its only chance of the game, but we managed to turn it around quickly and get a big scoreline," Luis Enrique said.
Barca's Alcacer was put on early after Rafinha from Brazil was forced off with a knee injury and the former Valencia striker restored Barca's lead in the second half with a pass to fellow Brazilian Neymar for 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," added the Barcelona coach.
"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 by two points but will have the chance to climb above its rivals when it visits the Santiago Bernabeu on April 23.
Reuters
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