Barcelona coach Koeman lauds Messi’s scoring prowess

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman was delighted with their 4-0 win at Granada.

Doubles from Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann gave Barcelona a 4-0 win away at Granada, a result which leaves the Blaugrana third in the LaLiga Santander table, though Atletico Madrid have three games in hand and are four points ahead.

“[Winning titles] doesn’t depend on just one player,” Koeman told the press. “It depends on the mentality of the team.

read also:Koeman: You can’t say we’re going to win the title

“If everyone is well and in their best form, they can fight [for titles]. With the gap to the leaders, it’ll be difficult, but this week we have played well which gives me confidence.”

Messi was again Barcelona’s talisman and bagged a brilliant freekick as the captain once again inspired his team.

“Barcelona need Leo,” Koeman stated. “Because of his importance and effectiveness. We need him to fight for titles.

“Thanks to the lead we were able to take him off. Messi tries his best for the team and lately, he has been doing very well, very effectively.

“Like the rest of the team, the start of the season was poor, but he has always been motivated. Now he is scoring more, but he has always been involved.”