Messi ensures extra edge to El Clasico
MADRID — Lionel Messi kept Barcelona’s title hopes alive with two goals and an assist to see off Real Sociedad 3-2 as Spain’s top two edged five-goal thrillers ahead of this weekend’s El Clasico.
Earlier on Saturday, Isco struck at the death to keep Real Madrid three points clear with a game in hand at the top of the standings after twice coming from behind to beat Sporting Gijon 3-2.
Barcelona will need Messi on this form if it is to produce another miracle Champions League fightback against Juventus on Wednesday, having slumped to a 3-0 first-leg loss last week.
“Iammorethanhappywith the performance of the playersandtheirabilitytomanage the frustration after what we experienced in the Champions League this week,” Barca boss Luis Enrique told Spanish TV station Movistar.
The Argentine is now just two shy of his 500th Barca goal after he smashed home a 25-yard screamer to open the scoring.
Messi then took his tally to 45goalsin44gamesthisterm in considerably less spectacular fashion, bundling home from close range after Geronimo Rulli had saved from Luis Suarez.
However, Barca passed up the chance to enjoy a comfortable evening in a threegoal spell in as many minutes just before halftime.
Firstly, Samuel Umtiti turned an Inigo Martinez drive into his own net.
Paco Alcacer, deputizing for the suspended Neymar, briefly restored Barca’s twogoal lead with a composed finish from Messi’s pass.
Yet, Sociedad scored again almost straight from kickoff as Xabi Prieto cushioned William Jose’s cross into the bottom corner.
Isco intervention
Madrid can all but secure a first league title in five years with victory when it hosts Barca this weekend.
But not for the first time this season it needed a late show after Duje Cop and Mikel Vesga put Sporting in front early in each half.
Isco’s fine individual strike and a towering header from Alvaro Morata ensured neither lead lasted more than a few minutes.
And Isco sealed the comeback when he drilled home from the edge of the box.
“This is the spirit of Real Madrid,” said Isco.
“It is in the DNA of this shirt and this badge, we have shown it so many times and again today. Until the referee blows the fulltime whistle it is not over.”
The Spain international is yet to agree a new contract with his current deal expiring at the end of next season.
And Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane claimed he wants Isco to stay despite his lack of starts and Barca’s interest in signing the playmaker.
“You know what I think of Isco, he is a player I like a lot and his place is here.”
Isco’s late intervention bailed out his coach after Zidane made nine changes from the side that beat Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal in midweek.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema were left out of the squad entirely alongside the injured Gareth Bale, while Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Marcelo had to settle for places on the bench.
“I feel like I am unfair with those that don’t play,” added Zidane.
“There are 24 players that can play in all positions. It is the difficult part of this job.”
Atletico Madrid warmed up for the second leg of its Champions League last-eight clash against Leicester City with a comfortable 3-0 win over rock-bottom Osasuna, despite missing two penalties in the same game for the second time this season.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone also left out a number of regulars, with top scorer Antoine Griezmann on the bench for the 90 minutes.
Victory took Atletico four points clear of Sevilla in third.