[ad_1]
Lionel Messi scored twice to maneuver away from Luis Suarez as La Liga’s high scorer as Barcelona returned to profitable methods by beating Elche 3-0 at Camp Nou on Wednesday.
Barca dropped factors in opposition to Cadiz on Sunday however three second-half objectives eased them previous Elche to maneuver them inside 5 factors of league leaders Atletico Madrid.
Messi opened the scoring after a tremendous flick from Martin Braithwaite earlier than scoring his 18th objective of the marketing campaign following a surging run from Frenkie de Jong. Jordi Alba added the third, turning dwelling Braithwaite’s knockdown from a Messi cross.
Positives
Barca are hanging within the title race. They’ve performed a sport greater than Atletico however they’re inside 5 factors now — as shut as they have been in 2021 — and Diego Simeone’s facet have began to drop factors. It is nonetheless an extended shot however, as coach Ronald Koeman mentioned on Tuesday, “whereas there’s nonetheless hope, we now have to maintain preventing.”
In Messi, they nonetheless have the league’s most excellent participant. Regardless of the doubts about his long-term future, the 33-year-old retains delivering. He is scored 10 instances in his final six La Liga appearances and stays the crew’s foremost creator, too.
– Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
– ESPN+ viewer’s guide: Bundesliga, Serie A, MLS, FA Cup and more
Negatives
There have been shades of Sunday, when Barca drew 1-1 with Cadiz, within the first half right here. Barca tried solely two pictures within the opening 45 minutes, seemed gradual, and had been devoid of concepts. It wasn’t a efficiency of champions.
And whereas the scoreline was snug ultimately, it did not have the texture of a very fluid efficiency, with particular person moments of brilliance from Messi, Braithwaite, and De Jong opening the sport up. It might have been a special story, thoughts, if Elche’s Lucas Boye had taken the 2 probabilities that fell his manner within the first half.
Supervisor score out of 10
6 — Koeman’s determination to make 5 modifications backfired however he rectified it within the second half, with the introduction of Ousmane Dembele and a formation tweak that reaped instant outcomes. Sergio Busquets additionally added construction off the bench.
Participant rankings (1-10; 10 = greatest. Gamers launched after 70 minutes get no score)
GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 6 — Had little to do with Boye sending Elche’s greatest likelihood over and their second straight on the German goalkeeper.
DF Oscar Mingueza, 6 — Strong in defence however missing accuracy along with his crossing within the closing third.
DF Gerard Pique, 6 — The buildup of minutes after three months out has been crucial factor for the Barca defender over the past week.
DF Samuel Umtiti, 6 — Did not make any errors and was tremendous on the ball however was missing confidence after current errors.
DF Jordi Alba, 6 — Acquired ahead to attain Barca’s third objective, his fourth of a productive marketing campaign.
MF Miralem Pjanic, 5 — Did not appear to know his function behind De Jong and Pedri within the first half and was sacrificed by Koeman on the break.
MF Frenkie de Jong, 7 — Produced a superb, driving run by the guts of the Elche defence to arrange Messi’s second objective.
MF Pedri, 7 — Caught the attention at first this season for his potential on the ball but it surely’s his function off of it that is turning into extra essential. Wins again so many balls and presses so diligently.
FW Francisco Trincao, 7 — Did brilliantly within the first half up till the purpose of taking his probabilities. Had two good alternatives to attain however wasted them each, taking pictures at Edgar Badia.
FW Lionel Messi, 9 — Took each his objectives effectively and performed a beautiful cross to create Alba’s effort, too.
FW Martin Braithwaite, 7 — Nameless on the left within the first half however improved by the center after the break. His help for Messi was nice and he made the fitting determination to set Alba up when others could have been tempted to go for objective.
Substitutes
FW Ousmane Dembele, 6 — Did not have his greatest night time however his presence modified Barca’s form for the higher and, subsequently, the sport.
MF Sergio Busquets, 6 — Got here on at 1-0 so as to add construction to Barca’s facet and inside minutes the sport was wrapped up.
DF Sergino Dest, N/R — Used at left-back to provide Alba a break.
FW Antoine Griezmann, N/R — Was solely on for quarter-hour however missed two good probabilities, though they could each have been dominated out for offside anyway.
DF Clement Lenglet, N/R — Changed Pique late on.
[ad_2]
Source link