Luis Enrique Over Excited With 4-0 Thrashing Of Real Madrid

Barcelona coach, Luis Enrique has hailed his his side's 4-0 victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabau in the first leg of the El Classico on Saturday night.

Uruguay forward, Luis Suarez opened scored twice while Neymar and Andre Iniesta completed the 4-0 routing of the Rafael Benitez' side in front of their home fans, which has given the la liga a 6-point lead over Real after 12 league games.

The Barcelona coach said in his post-match news conference that the win was extra special for his side having played so well at the home of their "eternal rival."

"This tastes of sacred glory, a win at eternal rival," Luis Enrique said. "Above all for the way we did it. You can win at the Bernabeu, but by being so superior, against such good players, is difficult.

"Throughout the game we did what we had wanted to do, and it came out well. It was a very complete performance, very important for us to win here. It will go down into history as a memorable game for all Barca fans."

Luis Enrique said there had been no problem deciding that Messi, back after two months out with a knee injury, would begin the game as a substitute.

"During the week, we looked to see how we could count on Ivan [Rakitic] and Leo, we kept it open," he said. "We talked yesterday. There is a normal player and coach relationship where you get feedback before a game like this.

"Leo was coming back from a long injury. It was relatively easy -- the best option for Leo. He understood that."

A reporter's suggestion that Rafa Benitez's galactico-heavy Madrid had made it easy for Barca by surrendering was not accepted by Luis Enrique.

"I did not see it like that," he said. "In no moment did I see Madrid having given up. We were better than them, and able to generate superiority in many areas of the pitch.

"We were superior, but that is to our credit, not their discredit. After the first goal, we controlled the game, with possession in midfield and had many chances."

In his first Clasico as Barca captain, Iniesta gave a supreme performance capped with a superb 15-yard strike.

"Iniesta forms a part of human heritage, not just of Barca, or cules," Luis Enrique said. "We have a chance to enjoy a unique player, he has a magic eye in the back of his head, and puts his quality to the service of the team."

Barca are now six points clear of Madrid in La Liga, having negotiated what was supposed to be a difficult part of the season with Messi injured and no new additions to the squad last summer.

"Our objective was what we have now, to win as many games as possible, even with situation at club," Luis Enrique said. "In January we get players back, but this squad won the Treble last season, so we know we have one of the best squads around." ESPN