Barcelona continued their free-scoring form in following up a 7-0 win over Celtic with a 5-1 battering of Leganes on Saturday afternoon. While the collective attacking ingenuity of Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi was in full flow and a joy to behold, a former Barca favourite was less than impressed with some of Neymar's showboating.
Michael Laudrup, who was instrumental in Barcelona's brilliant success with Johan Cruyff's 'Dream Team' between 1989 and 1994, accused the Brazilian star of deliberately provoking Leganes during Barca' stroll to victory.
"Why are you taking the ball across your own half? You're provoking the opposition," the former Swansea City manager said.
FC Barcelona News: 18 September 2016; Players Go Through Recovery, Laudrup Talks Neymar https://t.co/hWEbDULLWB pic.twitter.com/Ja4HGHlGF7
"At 0-4 you can't be showboating and provoking your opponents," Laudrup later added.
Laudrup famously left the Nou Camp to join bitter rivals Real Madrid and Barca fans were quick to point out the 52-year-old Dane did not pay Luis Enrique's side many compliments, despite a feast of attacking football.
Neymar missed the start of the current campaign after competing with Brazil in the Rio Olympics, but has come back strongly with two goals and five assists in three appearances.
Three points against Leganes puts Barcelona atop the La Liga table on goal difference, with Real Madrid and Las Palmas also on nine points from four games. Barca next play Atletico Madrid at the Nou Camp next Sunday in a highly-anticipated clash with Diego Simeone's men.