Barca boss not worried over Neymar goal drought
Print Edition
BARCELONA coach Luis Enrique is not concerned by Neymar’s recent goal drought and is confident the Brazil forward will soon return to top form as the Catalans continue their bid to repeat 2009’s historic treble.
After an impressive first half of the season, Neymar has gone off the boil since the turn of the year and has not scored for the leader in La Liga since hitting the opener in a 5-0 win at home to Levante on February 15.
The 23-year-old looked particularly out of sorts in Sunday’s 1-0 victory at Celta Vigo and spent much of the game locked in an unseemly battle with Celta fullback Hugo Mallo.
“I am not worried at all,” Luis Enrique told a news conference previewing today’s La Liga match at home to Almeria.
“We are talking about an outstanding player, a top player,” added the former Barcelona and Spain midfielder, who is enjoying a successful first term in charge at the Nou Camp.
“And from what I see in training I am sure his scoring streak will soon return and he will be back on top form.
“Now he is helping us in a less spectacular way, less visible for you, but he gives the team a lot of things that I consider important.”
Barcelona can stretch its lead over Real Madrid to seven points with a win against Almeria, applying more pressure on Real whose game at Madrid neighbor Rayo Vallecano kicks off two hours later.
Luis Enrique’s side is through to the last eight of the Champions League to face Paris Saint-Germain and will seek a record-extending 27th Copa del Rey triumph when it plays Athletic Bilbao in the final on May 30.
Barcelona became the only Spanish side to win the treble of domestic league and Cup and Champions League in Pep Guardiola’s first season at the helm in 2008-09.
Guardiola was a former teammate of Luis Enrique, as was Almeria’s new coach Sergi Barjuan, who agreed to take over at the struggling Andalucian side on Monday following Sunday’s sacking of Juan Ignacio Martinez.
“He is a friend and I am in touch with him from time to time,” Luis Enrique said. “I am pleased he has this opportunity and I hope he makes the most of it starting on Thursday.”
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