Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde hailed the influence of Lionel Messi after the Argentinian ensured his side would end the year on a high.
Messi struck his 50th goal of 2019 as Barca bounced back from two consecutive draws to ease past Alaves 4-1 and maintain their position at the top of La Liga.
Valverde told Spanish media: “It is an enormous advantage we have, when Leo appears and can get you a goal from anywhere.
“We’ve come from a very intense match on Wednesday and when you make it 2-0, it seems to be an important gap, but I don’t think so.
“In this game we were especially interested in not having any fright, [as we were] aware that Alaves could hurt us.
“We are leaving [2019] with a good feeling, because we know [the league] is long.”
Leo #Messi has scored at least 5️⃣0️⃣ goals (club & country) in 9 of the last 10 calendar years!
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 21, 2019
2010 6️⃣0️⃣
2011 5️⃣9️⃣
2012 9️⃣1️⃣ 🤯
2013 4️⃣5️⃣
2014 5️⃣8️⃣
2015 5️⃣2️⃣
2016 5️⃣9️⃣
2017 5️⃣4️⃣
2018 5️⃣1️⃣
2019 5️⃣0️⃣
🐐 pic.twitter.com/2bMEslMEro
Their victory also ensured Barcelona finished the year unbeaten at the Nou Camp and Valverde is looking forward to a rest before the campaign resumes at city rivals Espanyol in the new year.
Valverde added: “We have had a very intense month. In the end, not only this week in the games against Real [Sociedad] and against Madrid.
“We come from playing against Atletico, against Dortmund. It has been a month where we have all wanted to have a good holiday.”
Coming just three days after their tepid El Clasico draw with Real Madrid, French international Antoine Griezmann – who opened the scoring for his side – admitted weariness was evident.
Griezmann said: “We played three days ago and the legs are somewhat tired, but we had a good game.
“It was a pity to concede that goal, but I didn’t see it as a danger. Then steps us the best player in the world.
“We have a great squad and with the best players and when the team needs a push, he [Messi] is there.”
Provided by Press Association Sport
