Hitting Real Betis for six was enough to impress Barcelona coach Luis Enrique, who witnessed his fresh-faced side begin their LaLiga title defence in style.
Whilst Luis Suarez stole the show with a hat-trick, Ruben Castro managed to grab a brace of his own to momentarily upset the apple cart at the Camp Nou, with the season opener ending 6-2 .
"It was almost perfect, by our standards," the Spaniard told reporters. "Not just on a footballing level, but on an emotional level.
"We have had difficult moments, but we have completed our job.
"The demands are high, it will not be possible to maintain that level all year. We need a vital contribution from all of our players, not just 13 or 14."
A number of signings made their LaLiga bow for Barcelona on Saturday evening, although it was Arda Turan who caught the eye by opening the Azulgranas' account for the new season.
"[Turan] gives us a lot of options," Luis Enrique noted. "I think he can also play through the inside, but I'm just happy that he now looks more integrated into the team.
"The new players have an incredible desire to learn, [Samuel Umtiti] showed why we bought him here from Lyon. He is a very careful player, anticipating the ball well, with good positioning, and physically strong."
Preferring not to comment on Claudio Bravo's move to Manchester City, Luis Enrique left it up to the club to confirm or deny that particular transfer, which has since been given the green light
The Spanish champions opened their campaign in impressive style, with Luis Suarez netting a hat-trick, and their coach says his team is "playing with more enthusiasm than ever"
Luis Enrique was left marvelling at his Barcelona team after a "near perfect" performance in Saturday's 6-2 hammering of Real Betis.
The reigning champions blew their visitors away in emphatic fashion, as Luis Suarez netted a hat-trick and Lionel Messi added two of his own, with the star duo in unplayable form.
Barca had looked to be in a spot of bother after Arda Turan's early opener was cancelled out by Ruben Castro's thunderous free-kick, but the hosts rallied and were 3-1 up by the break.
Suarez added another two in the second period, with Messi doubling his tally with a fine long-range effort and Luis Enrique conceded he was in awe at the overall performance.
"The match was near perfect," he told reporters. "Not just the football level, but on an emotional level too.
"
I've seen the players play with more enthusiasm than ever. It was a complete game and I give them my congratulations, as well to the fans who were so animated in the stands.
"We see all the Camp Nou singing with pride and that makes us feel very well."
The match also saw Arda's renaissance continue as he scored his third goal in two games following a well-taken brace against Sevilla in the Supercopa de Espana on Wednesday and the coach believes he is finding his feet simply because he is happy.
"Arda can play well in both positions [in midfield and attack]. He gives us a lot of things," he added. "He has to be very satisfied because it takes a lot to be this dynamic.
"We are seeing the real Arda. He is happy because he looks more integrated and pleased."
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