Luis Enrique says Barca win was 'complete performance'
Luis Enrique insisted Barcelona put in a "complete performance" after beating Levante 2-0 to stay top of the Primera Division table, despite struggling for large parts of the game against the league's bottom side.
It took an own goal from Levante defender David Navarro to break the deadlock after 21 minutes and Levante missed several chances to level, while midfielder Jose Luis Morales hit the post, until Luis Suarez added Barca's second in injury time.
The 2-0 win at @LevanteUD on social networks https://t.co/DgAIlGIOsp pic.twitter.com/c5a8yGIknz
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 7, 2016
"We finished them off at the end but we had to work hard for the entire match," Luis Enrique told a press conference.
"My team did everything necessary to win the game, we put in a complete performance and that's why we finished the job.
"It helps if you don't give the opposition time on the ball because they can create good spells.
"We expected them to take more risks after they went 1-0 down because they had nothing to lose. These games can always be difficult. We kept on creating chances, and so did they. Even though Levante could have gone in at half-time level, I think this is a fair result."
Barcelona also equalled a club record of 28 games in all competitions without defeat in what was Luis Enrique's 100th game in charge, but the coach insisted he was not interested in these records, stating: "When the season finishes I'll tell you whether or not the record has been of use to us.
"It's good to reach 100 games, it's better than 50, but statistics don't tell me anything. I'm more interested in group objectives, like winning league titles."
Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto however admitted his side had been put to the test by Levante.
Valiosa victoria!!!! Grande equipo!!! Ahora para casa!!!!!@ivanrakitic @JordiAlba #Messi #Busquets pic.twitter.com/nNqW4wDryP
— Andrés Iniesta (@andresiniesta8) February 7, 2016
He told Movistar: "We suffered right until the end. We took the lead but they played really well. We weren't comfortable but we are happy with the victory. We have to congratulate Levante because they did a great job."
Jordi Alba meanwhile tried to explain the difference in the team's performance on Sunday with their stunning 7-0 win over Valencia in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey last week.
He said: "We aren't machines and we'd love to always play with the same intensity we did against Valencia, but today we put in a serious performance and took our chances.
"Every week we find it harder to win away from home but this was a vital victory for us."
