Deadly duo: Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (R) and Neymar celebrating a goal against Eibar during their Spanish first division soccer match at Camp Nou stadium on October 18.

Neymar is reproducing his Brazil form with Barcelona because the forward said yesterday that he was now feeling more relaxed.

Neymar had a difficult first 2013-14 season in Spain with injuries and turmoil over his transfer fee, which was initially said to be worth 57.1 million euros ($72.92 million) by the club but later turned out to be closer to 100 million.

All the major trophies escaped Barcelona but under new coach Luis Enrique they are top of La Liga after eight games and are yet to concede a goal.

However, defeat in their last Champions League outing against Paris St Germain has given today’s clash with Ajax Amsterdam added importance.

Barca (three) are one point behind Group F leaders PSG while Ajax are on two and APOEL Nicosia have one.

“I don’t know if this is a new version but I feel more at home, relaxed, and you notice this on the pitch,” Neymar told a news conference.

“Everything is playing its role in my level improving. The trainer, the players, all this when you put them together gives you the results.”

At 22 he is already the fifth highest scorer for Brazil with 40 goals and this season he has been on target eight times in La Liga having managed nine in the whole of the previous campaign.

Attention in Spain is on El Clasico this weekend between Barca and Real but Neymar said the players were fully focused on Ajax.

 “We always go out to win but this is a match where we are up against a strong side who are good defensively and in attack so we will have to play well,” he added.

Luis Enrique does not believe his players will have Real on their minds.

“I have no doubts about my team. I am fully confident about them against Ajax and also against Real at the Bernabeu,” he said.

Ajax beat Barca in Amsterdam last season during the group stages and Luis Enrique is not underestimating them.

“They move the ball around well, they know how to pressure and don’t take risks at the back,” he said.

“They are also strong on the counter-attack. They are a complete side which unites the qualities of Dutch football and the Ajax school.

“We have a good feeling and the team are winning most of our games. We lost against Paris St Germain for reasons that we know as we made errors but I think we are in an excellent position going into the matches ahead,” said Luis Enrique.

Neymar is also looking forward to welcoming Luis Suarez into his and Lionel Messi’s star-studded strike partnership when the Uruguayan returns from a four-month ban this weekend.

Suarez looks set to make his debut for the Catalans on the biggest stage of all as Barca face Real Madrid for the first time this season at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

Neymar and Messi have already combined for 17 goals in 10 games so far this season and the Brazilian is convinced last season’s Premier League Player of the Year will only add to their firepower.

“For me Messi is the best player in the world and I am happy to be able to play alongside him,” said the 22-year-old.

“But Luis Suarez is among the best too and I am sure he will bring many good things to our team.”

Before concentrating on the Clasico, Barca welcome Ajax to the Camp Nou today in a crucial Champions League clash following the Catalans defeat away to Paris Saint-Germain in their last European outing.

“It will be a very difficult and a very important match. We always play to win but I believe Ajax to be a great team both in defence and in attack. We will have to work hard to win,” added Neymar.

 


 

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