Barcelona coach Luis Enrique paid tribute to his team after they retained the Primera Liga title by strolling to a 3-0 win at Granada thanks to a hat-trick by top scorer Luis Suarez.
“We played very well over the full season, we were on top of the table for many weeks and the most consistent team wins the title,” Enrique told a news conference follow yesterday’s win on the final weekend of the season.
“I am very happy for all Barca fans, for our families and the club. People suffer a lot in some moments, and now we want to win another trophy next season.”
Barca finished top of the table on 91 points, one clear of second placed Real Madrid, regaining their composure by winning their final five games after a late slump in form allowed Real and Atletico Madrid back into the title race.
“I will remember the good moments, and the people who supported us in delicate moments, which the fans did,” he added.
“The supporters stayed with us, despite many things going on all around us. So I would tell all Barca fans to go out and enjoy this title.”
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Barcelona can clinch a domestic double in Spain for a second consecutive year by beating Sevilla in next week’s Copa del Rey final in Madrid and even if their hopes of repeating last season’s treble haul were dashed by Atletico in the Uefa Champions League quarter-finals, Enrique said there was much to be proud of.
“We set out at the start of the season to win all trophies, as nobody had ever done,” he said.
“Sometimes people think not winning one is a disaster. But we know how difficult it is to win trophies.
“We will celebrate this, we enjoy our team, and the style in which they play. In history just two teams have previously won consecutive doubles. We always give ourselves high objectives –and we will keep doing that.”
Barcelona have now won six of the last eight championships in Spain.
“It shows the club has a winning mentality,” Enrique added. “We must value each title.”
Gerard Pique came close to giving Barca an early lead when his header was tipped away by goalkeeper Andres Fernandez who also saved well from Lionel Messi.
Fernandez was powerless to stop Suarez’s opener, however, the Uruguayan tapping the ball home at the far post.
The second goal came when Javier Mascherano launched a long pass towards the byline and Dani Alves crossed for Suarez to nod home.
Neymar then generously played in Suarez to complete his hat-trick before the end and start the celebrations for the Catalan side.
“This title tastes great after so much hard work throughout the year and suffering right until the end,” said Barca captain Andres Iniesta.
“The league is the tournament that tests your consistency throughout the year and it’s the one we want to win every year.”
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