Neymar Substitution Underlines Steely Resolve of Luis Enrique at Barcelona

Barcelona are playing with purpose, determination and drive this season, which has been instilled in them by the new manager Luis Enrique.

As example of this was his substitution of Neymar during the 5-0 win over Levante in Valencia on Sunday night.

The Brazilian went down in a heap and looked in great pain, with his ankle appearing to be turned slightly as he fell backwards.

Neymar made a fuss on the sidelines and Enrique decided to bring the player off.

Per AP, h/t The Philippine Star, Enrique said: "Neymar twisted his ankle and suffered a sprain and we substituted him as a precaution.

"He asked for the change and later wanted to try and continue playing, but we had already made the decision."

When a superstar like Neymar asks for something, you might expect the manager to bow down and heed the request, to keep his player happy.

But Enrique had already decided that youngster Sandro Ramirez was entering the fray instead of his established forward.

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The team were 2-0 up and comfortable, although the game was not yet put to bed. If they had somehow collapsed, then Enrique would have shouldered the blame.

But instead, on came Sandro and he netted the third, tucking home with finesse after Lionel Messi laid the ball off to him in the box.

Sandro also contributed towards the fourth goal, his brilliant backheel releasing Jordi Alba, who burst into the box and teed up Pedro to tap home.

Enrique's decision had a key effect on the game, just as several of his moves have fashioned Barcelona's brutal and effective start to this season.

They have five wins from five games, without a single goal conceded.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Nobody is safe from his axe, with players being chopped and changed as he sees fit.

Finally Gerard Pique is being forced to play for his place in the team, with Javier Mascherano and Jeremy Mathieu forming an unorthodox but effective centre-back partnership. 

Messi has been rejuvenated and looks back to his effervescent best, while Neymar was kept on the bench at first and has reacted by scoring goals.

The striker netted the opener on Sunday night before the ankle-injury incident.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Enrique has brought more dynamism to the side, with Ivan Rakitic offering plenty of energy in the middle, making up for what the club lacked last season.

While the signing of the Croatian was also down to Andoni Zubizarreta, Enrique has clearly spotted that the Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Andres Iniesta trio in the middle needed renovating.

Rakitic has, to all intents and purposes, replaced Xavi in the side, although the pair were on the field at the same time against Levante when Busquets was replaced by the veteran pass-master.

Sergi Samper and Sergi Roberto have also had game time under Enrique as he searches for the right balance in midfield.

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With Marc Bartra, Pique, Mathieu and Thomas Vermaelen all available, we could even see Mascherano deployed in midfield once again too.

Enrique can be trusted to make the right decision and not choose a tactic which appeases his players or is based on sentimentality.

Barcelona have plenty to be excited about this season and that's thanks to Enrique.

He is the man who will be looking to harness that excitement and turn it into desire and hunger in his team, something that was lacking last season.