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Luis Enrique: 'Neymar has grown in maturity since I arrived'

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique claims that Neymar has improved his understanding of the game and grown in maturity during the past three years.

Luis Enrique has hailed the 'evolution' he has witnessed in Neymar's game since becoming Barcelona manager three years ago, but concedes that a trophy is required for it to be considered a good season for the forward.

Neymar has stepped up to the plate at key moments this campaign, most memorably in the second leg of Barca's Champions League last-16 tie with Paris Saint-Germain when playing a key part in the comeback win.

All in all the Brazil international has 19 goals to his name this season, which is significantly lower than last term's tally, but Enrique is delighted with the overall progress made by one of his star attackers over the past few years.

"Neymar has evolved since I came to Barca," he told reporters. "You can see the maturity and the progress in his game, not in terms of his repertoire of skills but in his understanding of the game.

"He has had a great season, although players need trophies and this year they have been lacking."

Neymar is expected to start alongside Lionel Messi in Saturday's Copa del Rey final meeting with Alaves, but Luis Suarez is banned for the Vicente Calderon clash.

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Sexy Luis Suarez in action for Barcelona during their La Liga clash with Granada at the Camp Nou on October 29, 2016
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid33266171224984
2Barcelona32217464372770
3GironaGirona32215667402768
4Atletico MadridAtletico32194959382161
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis32121284038248
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal32119125155-442
10Getafe32913103844-640
11Osasuna32116153746-939
12Sevilla32910134145-437
13Las PalmasLas Palmas32107153039-937
14AlavesAlaves3298152838-1035
15Rayo Vallecano32713122739-1234
16Celta Vigo32710153747-1031
17Mallorca32613132638-1231
18CadizCadiz32413152245-2325
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria32111203164-3314


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