Enrique explains Neymar sub

Luis Enrique has explained why he withdrew Neymar in Barcelona’s 5-0 win over Levante, despite the player’s protests.

Neymar tumbled on the touchline and stayed down, appearing in some pain. When the team doctor reached the far side of the pitch it was decided to take off the Brazil captain who, after recovering, wanted to stay on.

“He hurt the ankle he had injured previously, so we decided to take him off,” AS reports the Coach telling reporters.

“All the forwards have to work and combine and find spaces.”

Enrique added regarding Lionel Messi, scorer of the game’s fifth and creator of some of the other goals – and guilty of missing a penalty – that it was his assists he preferred.

“He’s special. His teammates know he can make spectacular assists. I love these combinations.”

Enrique was also asked about the gap between Barca, top of the table with 12 points, and the Madrid clubs, with Atletico on eight points and Real on six.

“This season has just started. There’ll be a lot of dances in the table,” he insisted.

“But I’ll take it from today’s game.”

Tags Luis Enrique Neymar
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