|
 The pressure of expectation and scandal over the true cost of his
transfer fee from Santos in 2013 led former president Sandro Rosell
to resign and appeared to weigh heavily on Neymar during his first
season at the Nou Camp.
He also found it difficult to adapt to the physical demands of the
Spanish league and picked up a series of injuries.
The Brazilian took a share of the blame for Barca finishing last
season without a major trophy but helped by the media glare turning
towards controversial signing Luis Suarez, Neymar is realizing his
true potential on European soil.
The return to form of Lionel Messi has also played a part, while
Suarez, although yet to show the lethal finishing he possessed at
Liverpool, is linking up well.
Messi has more goals this season but Neymar has developed a habit of
scoring in crucial matches, including his double as Barca twice came
from behind to knock Atletico Madrid out of the King's Cup on
Wednesday.
 Barca booked a place in the semi-final with a 3-2 victory, 4-2 on
aggregate, in a stormy game that saw Atletico finish with nine
players.
Surprisingly, as the Catalan side are renowned for their short
passing game through midfield, both goals came from rapid
counter-attacks.
The first saw the forward trio combine to tear Atletico's defence
apart with Messi finding Suarez, who in turn set up Neymar to finish
clinically.
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Neymar's over-exuberant celebrations and posturing on the pitch
seemed to agitate the Atletico players and coach Luis Enrique felt
it wise to take him off for the final 15 minutes.
"Neymar was his usual confident self and he gave us a lot in attack
as well as defence. His game is about beating players and he did
very well," the Barca coach told reporters.
"The game was getting a bit ugly and so we took Neymar off so that
it didn't get any worse."
Real Madrid, a point clear of Barca at the top, take on Real
Sociedad on Saturday without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, while
Atletico, four points off the pace, aim to bounce back from their
cup defeat when they travel to Eibar.
(Editing by John O'Brien)
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Improving
Neymar key to Barcelona's pursuit of Real
