Barca grind out victory in Eibar
> Messi & Co get tough warm-up ahead of Champions League clash against Chelsea
LUIS SUAREZ and Jordi Alba were on target as Barcelona saw off Eibar 2-0 yesterday to continue their unbeaten record in La Liga and extend their lead at the top of the table.
Lionel Messi had a hand in both goals against an Eibar side who finished the match at tiny Ipurua with 10 men after the second-half sending-off of Fabian Orellana.
It was not a comfortable afternoon for Ernesto Valverde’s men in the rain in the Basque Country, but Barca are still unbeaten 24 games into the league campaign, and have now gone 31 La Liga matches undefeated in total to match their record run under Pep Guardiola in 2010/11.
Barcelona will now turn their thoughts to the Champions League last 16, first leg against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, and Valverde said Eibar were ideal opponents ahead of that match.
“Eibar always put you under a lot of pressure, so it was a good test. We really suffered, because they are in great form,” said Valverde.
“It was a very difficult match just as we expected, and we will try and make sure it helps us, although the Champions League is another competition altogether.”
Valverde sent out a strong team, choosing to start Andres Iniesta and leave Philippe Coutinho on the bench, despite the Brazilian being ineligible for the Champions League. Coutinho replaced Iniesta for the final half-hour.
“Last week Coutinho started, and this week it was Iniesta,” Valverde added. “It is true that we have another match on Tuesday, but for me the important thing was today (Saturday).”
Valencia consolidated their grip on third place, coming from behind to win 2-1 at bottom side Malaga with a late Dani Parejo penalty.
Sevilla warmed up for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Manchester United by winning 2-1 at struggling Las Palmas, aided by a controversial late offside call.
Having experienced some indifferent form following the appointment of Italian Vincenzo Montella as coach in December, Sevilla have now claimed back-to-back league victories since progressing to the Copa del Rey final, and are fifth.
“When you win games you rest and recover better. Now the only thing on our minds is Manchester,” said Montella.
In other La Liga matches yesterday, Deportivo La Coruna suffered a second defeat in as many games since the appointment as coach of former Dutch international Clarence Seedorf, as they lost 1-0 at Alaves to remain secondbottom. – AFP