Barca narrows gap on Real Madrid

BARCELONA, Spain — Coach Luis Enrique gave Paco Alcacer another chance and Barcelona’s struggling striker came through with a goal.

Alcacer, Lionel Messi and Aleix Vidal all scored Saturday to lead Barcelona to a 3-0 win over visiting Athletic Bilbao. The win moved the defending champions to within one point of Spanish league leader Real Madrid, which has played two fewer matches.

Madrid’s away match at Celta Vigo Sunday can’t go ahead after heavy winds damaged Celta’s stadium.

La Liga officials said Vigo city hall ruled the “safety of spectators and players” could not be guaranteed at Celta’s Balaidos Stadium after winds tore off parts of its roof.

Meanwhile, Alcacer used one touch of his left boot to drive Neymar’s pass under goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz’s glove and put Barcelona ahead in the 18th minute at Camp Nou.

Iraizoz was at fault five minutes before halftime when Messi doubled the lead. The Basque ’keeper could have done more to keep out the Argentine’s free kick taken from a tight angle, which slipped through his grasp.

Vidal struck on the break in the 67th for the right back’s second goal in just five league appearances this season.

Alcacer’s goal was his first in the league since Barcelona paid Valencia 30 million euros (now US$32 million) to secure his transfer in August. The former Spain striker’s only other goal for Barcelona had come in the Copa del Rey against a lower-division opponent.

“I am almost happier (for him) than I was when I scored,” said Enrique, a former Barcelona player himself. “I have empathy for people that want to keep striving forward when things aren’t going their way.”

In giving Alcacer a starting place, Enrique was able to rest Luis Suarez ahead of Tuesday’s Copa del Rey second-leg semifinal when Barcelona will defend a 2-1 away win over Atletico Madrid.

Messi’s 31st goal in all competitions this campaign pulled him level with Suarez as the league’s joint top scorers with 16 each through 21 rounds.