La Liga: Lionel Messi Shows His Worth But Luis Suarez Double Stretches Atletico Madrid’s Lead

Lionel Messi underlined his price to Barcelona by scoring a sensational free-kick on Sunday however Atletico Madrid are in command of La Liga after beating Cadiz to face 10 factors clear on the high of the desk. Messi’s beautiful effort in a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao had been matched by the Argentinian’s buddy and former team-mate Luis Suarez, who earlier curled in an outstanding free-kick of his personal in Atletico’s 4-2 victory over Cadiz. Atletico finish the weekend even additional forward after Actual Madrid’s defeat by Levante on Saturday, which implies Zinedine Zidane’s facet are actually degree with Barca on factors, each of them struggling to maintain tempo within the title race.

“Each recreation is a vital step in direction of reaching the purpose we set ourselves initially of the season,” mentioned Diego Simeone. “We have now to maintain pushing one another.”

Barca’s win not less than maintains their momentum whereas Messi’s 650th membership purpose might have carried additional satisfaction for the Argentinian, who had the small print of his contract printed within the Spanish newspaper El Mundo on Saturday night time. 

El Mundo claimed the deal signed by Messi in 2017 reveals he may earn as much as 555 million euros over its 4 years, describing it as “the colossal contract that ruined Barcelona”. 

“Somebody has performed it with dangerous intentions to trigger issues,” mentioned Ronald Koeman. “It’s important to respect a participant who has given a lot to Spanish soccer and to this membership. I did not have any doubts that it would not have an effect on him on the pitch.”

Few can argue with Messi’s contribution in that regard, with the 33-year-old displaying towards Bilbao why the membership have gone to such lengths to maintain him. 

Bilbao briefly drew degree by a Jordi Alba own-goal early within the second half however Antoine Griezmann’s strike secured Barca their third consecutive victory, with Ousmane Dembele and Frenkie de Jong each spectacular once more. 

Requested what Messi price is to the staff, Griezmann mentioned: “What a query, we’re having fun with him, he’s a legend. I hope we will maintain having fun with him for a lot of extra years.”

Suarez haunts Barca

However Barcelona proceed to be haunted by the spectre of Suarez, whose large free-kick after which a penalty helped Atletico push their benefit into double figures. 

Whereas Messi’s free-kick was nearer and bent completely into the highest right-hand nook, Suarez’s shot was additional out and hit tougher, a fizzing effort that curled into the left facet of the online.

“The opposite day they have been practising free-kicks,” mentioned Simeone. “I instructed him we had not seen him rating many objectives from free-kicks in order that’s why I smiled once I noticed him rating this one.”

“After spending so lengthy at Barca with Messi, it was troublesome,” added Suarez.

He was the driving pressure once more, his two objectives making it 9 in his final eight video games and 14 now for the season. 

His objectives and assists have now earned Atletico 12 additional factors within the league, with Barcelona’s resolution to let him depart, particularly for title rivals, seeming extra misjudged by the week. 

It may get even worse for them and Actual Madrid, given Simeone’s facet nonetheless have a recreation in hand over every of them. 

Each would have been given hope by a rousing show from newly-promoted Cadiz, who have been impressed by the relentless Alvaro Negredo. 

Promoted

The 35-year-old scored twice, may have had a hat-trick and definitely didn’t need to be on the shedding facet.

However Suarez’s double, between objectives from Saul Niguez and Koke late on, sealed one other three factors for Atletico, who now have the La Liga crown inside attain, even with half of the season left to play.