Neymar's Ability to Enrage Opponents Gives Barcelona Huge Advantage

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique took Neymar off against Atletico Madrid to protect him from a barrage of attacks by Diego Simeone's frustrated side. 

The Rojiblancos were frustrated because the Brazilian had dismantled them in a balletic and brutal fashion, and as Atletico lost their heads, they targeted Neymar on several occasions with vicious fouls.

He struck twice in the first half, the goals just the gems in a crown he deserved as the game's best player.

Neymar has been exquisite this season, and along with Lionel Messi, he is one of the two players who have single-handedly won games for the club.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

It wasn't just the fact that Neymar was the man who executed Simeone's team that wound them up so much; it was the style and swagger with which he dissected them. 

Neymar buzzing around the defence, backed by Messi and Luis Suarez, posed a direct threat not just to Atletico on the night but also to the style of football with which they smothered Barcelona so effectively last season.

Three wins over the Spanish champions in three weeks for the Blaugrana this season speak for themselves, as they couldn't win once on six occasions last term.

Sport's Javier Miguel reveals what went on at half-time in the tunnel, and Neymar was the centre of attention once again:

"

Within the tunnel area there was pushing, shoving, accusations and insults. The victim of most of them was Neymar, who was an easy target for the Atletico Madrid players. Specifically, captain Gabi picked on the Brazilian, who tried to escape, but then Diego Simeone joined in. The Brazilian responded with only a smile, which enraged Atletico Madrid's men further.

"

Gabi was sent off somewhere in the melee, and Mario Suarez followed in the second half as Atletico Madrid completely lost their heads.

Cani, who made his debut, spouted off about Neymar after the game, revealing how much he had upset Atletico. 

He said, per Sport, "All his career he is going to have problems. Neymar has his style of play, he's tricky...it is his style of play. ... Someday he is going to have a problem like he has had today, but if he likes that...that's how he plays."

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Juanfran, meanwhile, who couldn't stop Neymar down Barcelona's left, resorted to taunting him about Brazil's capitulation to Germany in the World Cup.

That's funny, really, considering he was a reserve for a Spain side that didn't make it out of the group stage, while Neymar was the main man in Brazil's run to the semi-finals.

Former Brazil international Edmilson was unimpressed and tweeted, per Sport, "Who is that Juanfran? Juanfran, we are five-time champions [of the world] and surely that gesture was provoked because you didn't know how to stop the best player from Brazil."

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Barcelona boss Enrique admitted he decided to take Neymar off with the game already won to protect him from Atletico's fury, per ESPNFC.com:

"

[Neymar] had the same attitude as always, with a lot of self-confidence and he brought us a lot in attack and defence His style of play is to dribble and today he put in a standout performance. He understands football that way, nobody will change him, and we like that he is brave.

There came a moment when the match had got a bit ugly, and we took off Neymar so that it would not get more heated. Professional players should be intelligent and know they are all colleagues. You must be careful, as this seemed like something else.

"

The funny thing is, Neymar isn't a Diego Costa figure. He doesn't upset defenders by physically touching them; instead, he unbalances them with his quick feet and quicker brain.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

If he can make a team as well-drilled as Simeone's outfit essentially give up on the game, then he has a lot going for him.

Neymar is fast becoming one of world football's elite, and it would be no surprise if next January he is up on the podium alongside Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo when it comes time to award the 2015 Ballon d'Or.