Super hero Lionel Messi puts on a mesmerising show to silence detractors and power Barcelona's 3-0 rout of rivals Espanyol
Lionel Messi
Barcelona's Lionel Messi (left) is tackled by Espanyol’s Victor Sanchez during a La Liga match in Barcelona on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images
Hours before the start of the Catalunyan Clasico between city-rivals Espanyol and Barcelona in the La Liga here at the RCD Espanyol Stadium on Saturday night, the home fans had told mid-day how much they hated Lionel Messi for his sheer brilliance. And right enough, the Mercurial Argentine shone through as his team emerged 3-0 winners on a cold night across town.
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Barca top in title race
Barcelona are out of the Champions League and when they stepped onto the Espanyol ground amidst vociferous boos they were in second spot in the La Liga, three points behind Real Madrid (81). But 90 minutes later, their super hero Messi ensured they were back on top, equal on points with Real but ahead on goal difference, though Real have a game in hand.
It was yet another case of the Barca big boys wearing down their opponents.
Espanyol did well to keep the terrible trio of Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar at bay for the first 45 minutes but a barren opening period, meant the visitors had to come out all guns blazing. They did, and the Espanyol defence eventually crumbled.
Just five minutes into the second half, a ridiculous back pass literally across the field from Espanyol's Jurado was intercepted by Suarez at the edge of the box and after a quick sprint, he had only Diego Lopez under the bar to beat, and did it quite calmly. The second goal (76th minute) was sheer genius from Messi.
The wily striker made a breathtaking run down the centre towards the Espanyol goal, drawing a sea of defenders towards him, before passing to Ivan Rakitic without even looking at him. The Croatian calmly sidefooted it into the far corner.
Another Espanyol blunder set up the third goal three minutes from full time. An aerial pass from Messi was erroneously cleared by Aaron Martin and predator Suarez once again picked up the free ball and beat Lopez in goal.
Espanyol defender Diego Reyes admitted his team paid a heavy price for slipping up. “It was a very difficult match and in a derby (if you make such mistakes) then you know you are going to suffer,” he told mid-day moments after the embarrassing defeat.
'Intense derby'
Barca boss Luis Enrique though hailed his boys for playing to a plan, which was to tire out the opponent: “It was an intense derby as we expected it. In the first part, the players are fresh, so there were no clear chances but we knew that in the second half, our sustained pressure could generate chances and wear down the opponent. The quick rhythm of the game benefited us,” said Enrique stressing on the importance of winning all games hereon to get a hold of the prestigious La Liga title.
“We need to look at the schedule. We must see where we failed in the past and then plan ahead. The upcoming matches are all tough and more so, given this crucial juncture in the championship,” Enrique added.
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