Barcelona ensured they will be at least a point clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga when they host their arch rivals in next weekend’s ‘Clasico’ after Lionel Messi struck twice in a 2-0 win at Eibar on Saturday.
Barca leapfrogged stuttering Real, who host Levante on Sunday, into first place last weekend and produced another dominant performance inspired by the talismanic Messi to move on to 65 points with 11 games left.
With Xavi and Andres Iniesta on the bench, Messi captained the side and put the Catalan giants ahead in the 31st minute at the tiny Ipurua stadium in the Basque country when he converted a penalty after Borja Ekiza handled the Argentina forward’s shot.
Messi added a second effort 10 minutes into the second half when he nodded in an Ivan Rakitic corner, his 32nd La Liga goal of the campaign and his 43rd in all competitions, two more than he managed in the whole of an injury-disrupted 2013-14.
He has scored at least twice in 120 matches for club and country, 112 for Barcelona and eight for Argentina.
To their credit, Eibar, playing in La Liga for the first time this season, refused to capitulate to their illustrious visitors and forward Federico Piovaccari struck a shot against the crossbar late on.
“It was a very good, solid performance against a team that caused us a lot of problems,” Barca coach Luis Enrique told a news conference.
“We will go into the game (against Real) as leaders and in perfect shape.
Messi’s scintillating recent form bodes well for Wednesday’s Champions League last 16 return match at home to Manchester City when Barca will defend a 2-1 lead from last month’s first leg… see more
source: alarabiya.net
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