Messi influence putting Barca back in driving seat
BARCELONA: Lionel Messi has already played an important part for Barcelona this season but the forward finally hit his unstoppable best in a 5-1 win over Real Valladolid in La Liga on Tuesday.
Messi scored twice and created goals for Arturo Vidal and Luis Suarez as champions Barca moved top of the table with 22 points from 10 matches.
Barcelona began the season in shaky form with Messi sidelined through injury, but since their captain started for the first time, on Sept 24, they have won their seven matches in all competitions.
Barca struggled last week against Slavia Prague in the Champions League and barely scraped a 2-1 victory in the Czech capital but, with Messi firing on all cylinders, the team looked much improved against Valladolid.
After the Argentine’s fantastic pass set up Vidal, who put Barcelona 2-1 up,
Messi netted the third with a free-kick, the 50th such strike of his career.
The forward added another goal in the second half with a slick swivel, gentle touch and drilled finish, before slipping in Suarez for the fifth.
“What can I say?” Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said when asked about Messi’s display. “Every time he gets it [the ball], something happens, good for us and bad for them.”
Atletico Madrid could have done with a drop of Messi’s attacking inspiration as they were held to a disappointing draw by Alaves.
Substitute Alvaro Morata scored his third goal in as many games but Lucas Perez hit a stunning late equaliser at Menizorrotza.
Atletico sit third, two points behind Barca and level with Granada, having played one game more.