Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique has backed Eibar to retain their La Liga status this season.

A brace from Lionel Messi yesterday afternoon secured a 2-0 victory for Barca over the Armeros, who have now lost their last eight games in succession.

However, Enrique has insisted that he saw enough quality from his side's opponents to suggest that they will not be relegated come May.

"You must try to be dominant and effective in every match. Our opponent didn't make it at all easy for us, and it's essential to be effective in cases like this," he told the club's official website.

"Eibar didn't look like a team that have just lost seven in a row. They played good football and fully deserved their great start to the season. I don't think they'll have any trouble avoiding relegation."

Gaizka Garitano's men are currently 14th in the table, but just two points above the relegation zone.