Ernest Valverde says ‘we just have to enjoy’ Lionel Messi after Barcelona hat-trick

Ernesto Valverde offered his thoughts on Lionel Messi after the Barcelona captain hit a hat-trick and grabbed two assists in the 5-0 demolition of Levante on Sunday.

The Argentinian put in an brilliant display to blow Levante away and restore Barcelona’s three-point lead at the top of La Liga.

“I don’t know how to qualify him. I don’t know how to answer the most repeated question,” he said.

”He’s the one who makes us play, who gives us amazing goals ... we just have to enjoy him.”

Source | FourFourTwo

Barcelona lined up in an unfamiliar-looking formation, with three centre-backs against Levante, and Valverde also took time out to explain his line-up.

”The line-up was conditioned by Semedo. It was a solution that was determined by injuries.

”We thought Nelson was going to play. They are used to a quick counter-attack and we had to control those situations.

“It cost us in the middle of the pitch, but in the second half we had total control.”

Source | FourFourTwo

The champions will wrap up their 2018 season on Saturday with their final La Liga fixture against Celta Vigo at Camp Nou.