Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona to a crucial 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid, easing pressure on Luis Enrique and boosting the Catalan club’s Liga title chances.
The Catalans’ preparations had been dominated by speculation of Enrique’s possible exit from the club, but goals from Neymar, Luis Suarez and Messi ensured that their manager kept his job at least for the time being.
Having suffered defeat to Real Sociedad in their last Liga outing Barca started their game with clear impetuous, overrunning Atletico in midfield as Messi, Suarez and Neymar took a grip of the contest.
Neymar opened the scoring after just 12 minutes, bundling home at the back post after scrappy build-up play between Messi and Suarez. And the hosts doubled their advantage soon after, with Messi threading through Suarez, who finished with aplomb past Miguel Moya.
Atletico struggled to cope with a rampant Barca in the first half, but were afforded a lifeline after the break when Messi was penalised for a foul on Jesus Gamez in the box, giving Mario Mandzukic the chance to half the deficit from the spot.
However, Barcelona made sure of the points just minutes from time when Messi grabbed the goal his performance deserved to move the Camp Nou side ahead of Atletico in the Liga table and to within a point of leaders Real Madrid.
KEY EVENTS
10’ – MESSI CHANCE: That was an excellent chance for Messi! Neymar breaks forward and slots through Messi, who has sight of goal, albeit from a tight angle. But the Argentine skews his shot wide of the near post.
12’ – GOAL! Barcelona 1 Atletico Madrid 0: The Catalans have the lead! Messi’s shot is deflected into the path of Suarez, who in turn touches it to Neymar, with the Brazilian bundling it home at the back post.
13’ – MOYA DOUBLE SAVE: And another big chance for Barcelona! Alba smashes a shot at the near post, forcing Moya into the save. But the Atletico keeper spills it, only to make amends with the follow up shot from Neymar.
23’ – NEYMAR SHOULD SCORE: Huge chance for a second for Barcelona! Suarez breaks in behind the Atletico backline and clips a cross to the back post for Neymar, who should score but sends his header wide of the near post.
35’ – GOAL! Barcelona 2 Atletico Madrid 0: Barca have a second! Messi drives forward and slots through Suarez, who finishes with aplomb past Moya! Barca deserve their lead.
58’ – GOAL! Barcelona 2 Atletico Madrid 1: And Atletico are back in the game! Mandzukic steps up and slams the penalty from 12 yards straight down the middle.
78’ – TORRES OPPORTUNITY: That was a good chance for Torres! Mandzukic broke down the right side and tried to play a pass into the striker, who was free in the centre, but Bravo comes off his line to smother. The pass should have been made sooner.
87’ – GOAL! Barcelona 3 Atletico Madrid 0: That should be that! A fortunate rebound falls to Messi six yards out and he finishes into the empty net. That’s the points secured.
KEY STATS
Lionel Messi conceded his first penalty Barcelona by fouling Jesus Gamez in the second half.
Luis Suárez has scored and assisted in a single La Liga game for the first time as a Barcelona player.
TALKING POINT
Is Barcelona’s star-studded frontline finally starting to click? This was perhaps the first time that Barca’s shimmering frontline has clicked with such coherence, with Messi, Neymar and Suarez all on the same wavelength and in frightening form. All three were at the top of their respective games, giving Spanish football’s most resolute defensive unit an evening to forget. If Enrique can get his strikeforce to play like this between now and the end of the season he might do more than just save his job.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Lionel Messi (Barca) – If the Barcelona number 10 has indeed fallen out with Luis Enrique, as has been reported by the Catalan press this week, then there was no sign whatsoever of it against the Liga champions. Messi was in inspired, turning in his most complete performance of the season so far. He grabbed hold of the contest in the manner he did regular two or three years ago, involving himself in essentially every Barca attacking move. This was Messi back to his best.
PLAYER RATINGS
Barcelona – Bravo 6, Alba 7, Mascherano 6, Pique 5, Alves 6, Iniesta 6, Busquets 6, Rakitic 5, Neymar 8, Suarez 8, Messi 9. Subs – Rafinha, Pedro.
Atletico Madrid – Moya 5, Gamez 4, Godin 5, Gimenez 5, Juanfran 5, Tiago 6, Turan 5, Griezmann 6, Koke 5, Mandzukic 5. Subs – Torres 6, Garcia 5, Siqueira.
