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Barcelona logo
La Liga
Dec 7, 2014 at 4pm UK
 
Espanyol logo

5-1

Messi (45', 50', 81'), Pique (53'), Pedro (77')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Garcia (13')

Luis Enrique pleased with response

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique calls on Lionel Messi to continue 'contributing to the team' following his third hat-trick in four games.

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has praised his side for coming from behind to thump Espanyol 5-1 on Sunday.

Barca fell behind in the La Liga clash to a strike from Sergio Garcia, but responded with five goals, including a hat-trick from Lionel Messi, to continue their winning run.

"Getting back to 1-1 gave us strength. I saw the team wanting to retouch a few things, and we solved those issues at the start of the second half," he told reporters

"The team have competed well in all the league matches. We've played our best games before and after [the Clasico].

"You quickly get used to decisive players in your team. We want Leo to contribute to the team and not just in attack. We want maximum involvement from him, and that's important for the club."

Barca face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League group stages on Wednesday.

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Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona with the match ball after scoring three goals during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at Camp Nou on December 7, 2014
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