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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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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Real Madrid1393128111730
3Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
4Villarreal137422521425
5Athletic Bilbao146532013723
6Osasuna146441922-322
7GironaGirona146352018221
8Mallorca146351312121
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad145361111018
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
14Leganes143561319-614
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


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