Lionel Messi Inspires Barcelona Win

Barcelona swept to a 4-0 win at Eibar on Sunday with goals from Denis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar. Luis Enrique’s side are now back within two points of league leaders Real Madrid — who have a game in hand — and are just one point behind second-placed Sevilla.

Luis Enrique has spoken frequently about the need to go on a winning run and it looks like his players have responded. Barca have now won four games in a row and as an added bonus have kept three consecutive clean sheets. There was also a first goal for Denis Suarez since his summer move from Villarreal and goals for each of the front three, who may be finding their form at just the right time.

After losing Andres Iniesta in Thursday’s win over Real Sociedad, Barca were dealt another injury blow in the Basque Country when Sergio Busquets was forced off with an injury in the first half here. The Blaugrana have already confirmed he has sprained ligaments in his right ankle. He will undergo further tests on Monday and everyone at the club will have their fingers crossed for good news.

Luis Enrique may feel things are starting to click into place. Rotations earlier in the season backfired when points were dropped, but last week against Las Palmas things went better and that was again the case at Eibar. Gerard Pique was the surprise absentee from the starting lineup at Ipurua, but it didn’t affect Barca despite a lively start from the home side. On a tactical level, they were able to soak up the home side’s intense early pressure and took their chances when they came.

GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 7 — Made a couple of decent but expected saves in a first half that saw him forced to go long on more than one occasion because of Eibar’s pressing. His best moments came in the second half, though. There was one great piece of chest control and a super save from Pedro Leon late on.

DF Sergi Roberto, 6 — Struggling to get forward at the moment, although a large part of that here was due to Eibar, who pressed high and pinned Barca back for long periods of the first half. Replaced by Aleix Vidal just after the hour mark.

DF Samuel Umtiti, 7 — Used to partnering Pique or Javier Mascherano, Umtiti was arguably the leader in the middle of Barca’s back four. Did well enough on the ball, getting better as the game grew, and produced one key touch to force a dangerous cross behind from the corner when the score was still level.

DF Jeremy Mathieu, 6 — After recently recovering from an injury, this was the French defender’s first start since October. Difficult to be too negative considering Barca kept a clean sheet, but did look a little shaky early on under the host’s pressure.

DF Jordi Alba, 7 — Helped his side weather the early storm and did relatively well against one of Eibar’s better players in Leon. Was also desperate to get involved in attack whenever he could.

MF Sergio Busquets, NR — Worryingly taken off on a stretcher with less than 10 minutes on the clock. Barca will be hoping for the best.

MF Ivan Rakitic, 7 — Forced to fill in for Busquets, which is not an easy task, and was mostly good after a tough first few minutes. This was his first La Liga start since the beginning of December and with injuries to several of his teammates, he may be set for an extended run of games as he looks to rediscover his best form.

MF Arda Turan, 7 — Has impressed most as a left forward this season but filled in for Iniesta here and did well. Worked hard in defence, passed well and joined in, in attack. May be disappointed not to have added to the 12 goals he’s already scored this season.

FW Lionel Messi, 9 — With Iniesta missing, Messi seemed to take on the Spaniard’s role at times without losing sight of his normal responsibilities. A double one-two before setting up Neymar in the first half was one of his most impressive moments, as was a great pass through the middle for Turan moments later. Got his goal after the break, giving the ball to Luis Suarez and following his run through to the area, where he was presented with the simplest of finishes. Head and shoulders above the rest at times.

FW Luis Suarez, 8 — There were plenty of sloppy touches and loose passes, but once again the Uruguayan came up with the goods. However poor he sometimes appears, he’s always a threat and he hit the inside of the post at the end of the first half before finding his range after the break. After providing the second goal for Messi with a lovely pass, he won the ball back, raced down on goal and calmly tucked away his 15th league goal of the season.

FW Neymar, 8 — Scored his first goal from open play since October, slotting home in the final minute having earlier been incorrectly called offside. Aside from goals, though, everything else has been and was once again very much in place. Was always a threat on the ball and it was his defence-splitting pass that led to Luis Suarez hitting the post at the end of the first half.