Luis Enrique says Barcelona will have to continue improving if they want to catch La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
Barca took advantage of playing before their title rivals this weekend by beating Osasuna 3-0, moving within three points of Zinedine Zidane's side.
Lionel Messi scored twice after Luis Suarez had opened the scoring in the second half, but Luis Enrique felt the match should have been wrapped up before half-time.
"We were aware of the difficulty of this game," the Barca coach said after his side ended a run of three consecutive draws in the league. "It was key to get the first goal and it cost more than normal. In the first half we had a lot of chances. In fact, in the first half alone we deserved a comfortable victory.
"I'm happy with what I saw. We were the superior side. It's about improving our performances [now] to try to put pressure on the leaders, Real Madrid."
Striker Suarez, who was guilty of missing two good openings in the first period, agreed with his manager's conclusion from the game.
"In the first half we had enough chances to go in front, but it wasn't to be," the Uruguayan told beIN SPORTS after the match.
"We came out in the same way in the second half because we knew that if we scored soon, the game would open up, and that's how it went."
Suarez also sent a message to Madrid as Barca look to eat into Los Blancos' lead at the top of the table heading into the new year.
"We won't give up," he warned. "We are Barca and Barca always put up a fight. Whether six, seven or eight points [behind Madrid], we are a team that always fights."