Messi off target as relentless Barcelona stretch lead

Watch out Real Madrid.

Barcelona can still outscore opponents even on a rare day when Lionel Messi is far from his brilliant self.

Barcelona warmed up for next round’s “clasico” match at Madrid by routing Deportivo La Coruna 4-0 yesterday to increase their lead of the Spanish league.

Messi tried to join in the demolition, but the Argentina forward had a penalty saved by goalkeeper Ruben Martinez after he had already been frustrated on three occasions when he hit the woodwork. Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez also sent shots off the post.

Barcelona didn’t need any goals from Messi, however, as Suarez and Paulinho both scored twice to help the team capitalise on Valencia’s loss at Eibar on Sunday.

“If we had practiced to hit the woodwork we probably wouldn’t do it as well,” Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde joked. “Once the first goal fell, our opponent had to take risks and that made things easier.”

Unbeaten Barcelona extended their advantage to six points over Atletico Madrid, who jumped ahead of Valencia by beating Alaves on Sunday. Valencia are eight points behind Barcelona.

Real Madrid are 11 points adrift in fourth with a game in hand before Barcelona visit the Santiago Bernabeu next weekend.

“We are pleased because the best way to prepare for a big match is to get a win beforehand and get that extra boost of confidence,” Valverde said. “But nobody wins the league at this point in the season.”

Barcelona got going when Andres Iniesta spied Messi and lobbed the ball forward. Messi did the rest by controlling the pass with his chest before drawing Martinez and laying off for Suarez to score in the 29th minute.

Suarez got his second two minutes after halftime, using one touch of his left boot to drive in Sergi Roberto’s superb cross.

Paulinho had doubled the lead in the 41st minute and got Barcelona’s fourth goal 15 minutes from time. Despite his off day, Messi still leads the league with 14 goals in 16 rounds.