Barcelona boss Luis Enrique insists the performances of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar would not exist without “a team and defensive structure”.
MSN are regarded as one of football’s best-ever attacking partnerships, if not the greatest, but Enrique made it clear the Barca trio’s chemistry and prolificacy in front of goal were the fruits of hard work off the ball, as much as on it.
“They’re the revelation team of this League and it’s no longer a surprise that they won at Camp Nou on matchday three,” the Coach said at a Press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Alaves in La Liga.
“While I’ve been here as Coach, we’ve played a final at Camp Nou and another at the Calderon, both of which we liked.
“Still, I’m not at all interested in this debate. I understand the position of all the clubs. I’m indifferent.
“With our fixture list being so packed with games, there are times when a fifth yellow can be welcomed for the purposes for rest.
“Not making it look deliberate? I’m not an ally to create controversy, I leave that to you [journalists].
“Of course we can improve, but the team have to be credited for what they did in the first half of the season.
“It’s not bad if when you’re not successful that you have luck on your side, but we know that we have more chances to win if we play well.
“Barca’s basketball Coach fining himself and his players €5,000? That’s a question for him, but we haven’t reached such levels of underperformance yet.
“MSN? Their potential can’t be questioned, but let’s not forget that they need a team and to be in both an attacking and defensive structure.”
