Stars hit century mark Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique

MADRID. — Barcelona boss Luis Enrique believes his side is impossible to contain when their star attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are as efficient in front of goal as they were in Tuesday night’s 6-0 hammering of Getafe. The three now have a combined 102 goals between them in all competitions this season after Messi and Suarez each scored twice, whilst Neymar and Xavi also found the net to move the Catalans five points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

“It is another day to congratulate the team because these types of games can easily become difficult and we needed to start in the way we did today.

“Today there were many of the circumstances that make the team practically unstoppable.

“We had a number of chances and almost all the goals are placed right in the corner.

“I don’t remember a Barca match or that of another team with the effectiveness in front of goal we showed today. There were so many goals with such precision.”

Madrid were expected to move back to within two points of the Catalans with victory over Almeria last night.

However, Los Blancos are powerless to stop Barca claiming a fifth title in seven years should they win their remaining four games against Cordoba, Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid and Deportivo la Coruna.

And Enrique again insisted complacency won’t affect his side despite having on paper an easier run-in that Madrid, who are still to face Sevilla and Valencia.

“We won’t get complacent, we know that we depend on ourselves against a great rival like Real Madrid that will fight for the title until the end. We need to continue so that things continue to go as they have done until now and be very concentrated.

“I believe in Barca, which is the only thing I can control. It is normal that I also believe in Madrid’s opponents.

“I think the final games of the season will be demanding for everyone and there could be surprises.”

Messi, Neymar and Suarez were on target inside 28 minutes as Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot before teeing up Suarez to volley home and Neymar was left with the simple task of registering the 100th goal between the trio from Suarez’s pass.

Xavi Hernandez then curled home a stunning fourth before Suarez made it 5-0 with a similar finish into the far corner and Messi rounded off the scoring in typical style on his favoured left foot early in the second-half.

Real Madrid were expected to close the gap at the top back to two points when they hosted Almeria last night.

“Luckily the first shots on goal we had went in, the team played very well in the first-half and that is the most important thing,” said Suarez.

“I don’t know if there is a key to our success. There is total commitment among the team and the fans. We are obliged to win important things and we are entering the most important stage of the season.”

Barca boss Luis Enrique had resisted the temptation to rest any of his front three despite making four changes from the side that won 2-0 at Espanyol on Saturday with one eye on next week’s Champions League semi-final, first-leg against Bayern Munich.

That decision was richly rewarded in a stunning first-half display that tore the helpless visitors to shreds.

Messi put his recent yips from the penalty spot behind him as he opened the scoring by chipping the ball straight down the middle of the goal in the style made famous by Czech legend Antonin Panenka in the 1976 European Championships after Suarez had been felled by Alvaro Arroyo. — AFP.

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