Monday 29 September 2014 17:28, UK
Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic was more pleased with his team's style than their substantial goal haul in victory over Granada.
Luis Enrique's side were 6-0 winners thanks to Lionel Messi's 400th career goal and a Neymar hat-trick as Barca maintained a two-point lead at the top of the Primera Division.
Messi bagged a brace in the encounter while Croatian midfielder Rakitic was also on target as the Catalan club bounced back from a lacklustre goalless draw with Malaga in midweek.
"The way we played is more important than the number of goals we scored," said Rakitic, who was given a standing ovation by the crowd, told Barca TV. "To come out of the game like that is something that I will be able to tell my daughter some day. It was definitely a special moment."
For Rakitic, playing with Xavi is a source of pride. "(Xavi) is really impressive, a great captain. To be able to see everything he does is fun for me," he said.
"That's why I'm here. Every day I wake up with a smile and nobody can take that away from me. Not even when times are tough."
And Xavi, making his first league start of the campaign, was keen to repay the compliment, believing the summer signing from Sevilla is highly effective at both ends of the pitch.
"After the tie against Malaga, we really needed to come out and play a good match. And we did that," he said.
"He (Rakitic) is just a total package on both attack and defence. He doesn't turn the ball over, plays smoothly, and can really go up and get the ball. What a great signing."
