Boost for Setien as Messi leads Barcelona’s rout of Leganes
MADRID: Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona hammered Leganes 5-0 on Thursday to advance to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey and deliver a much-needed boost for new coach Quique Setien.
Messi’s double, as well as goals from Antoine Griezmann, Clement Lenglet and Arthur Melo rounded off an emphatic win at Camp Nou, where Barca bounced back from a surprise La Liga loss away at Valencia.
“We did a lot of things well but I am not completely happy because we also lost control of the game in the latter stages of the first half,” said Setien, who replaced Ernesto Valverde as coach earlier this month.
Meanwhile, in Friday’s draw, Barcelona were handed a daunting trip to Athletic Bilbao in the quarter-finals, while Real Madrid face a home game against one of the top teams in La Liga in Real Sociedad.
BALE TO STAY AS REAL HOST ATLETICO
Madrid:zinedine Zidane has said he is “not contemplating” Gareth Bale leaving Real Madrid on Friday before the end of the January transfer window as they host Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Saturday.
Asked about the possibility of Bale being sold, Zidane said on Friday: “Gareth is with us, I’m counting on him. I do not contemplate this possibility.”
There was also a positive update regarding the fitness of Eden Hazard, who has recovered from his foot injury and could feature against Atletico. “He could be included tomorrow (Saturday),” Zidane said.
FIFA LAUNCHES TALENT PROGRAM BY WENGER
ZURICH: FIFA launched a global program led by Arsene Wenger on Friday to help close the gap on Europe’s dominance in football by improving coaching and identifying young talent. It’s the first major project for Wenger since the former Arsenal manager was hired in November as FIFA’S head of football development.
“The difference in the level of play between Europe and the rest of the world has become bigger,” Wenger said.