Messi, Suarez lift Barca
madrid — Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez might have been rested but instead both played and scored as Barcelona came from behind to beat Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, ahead of their crunch Champions League second leg against Lyon.
Raul de Tomas’ scintillating strike gave struggling Rayo a surprise lead at the Camp Nou but Messi converted a penalty and Suarez finished a brilliant passing move to seal a 3-1 win, after Gerard Pique had headed in an equaliser.
When Barca kicked off, Atletico Madrid had just completed their own 1-0 victory over Leganes, although Diego Simeone was more cautious, resting Antoine Griezmann, Alvaro Morata and Saul Niguez, with Tuesday’s trip to Juventus in mind.
“It is normal when there is an important game on Tuesday,” said Simeone, who substituted Griezmann at half-time. “He was not injured, he had just given all that he had to give.”
There was always a risk that La Liga’s top two might take their eye off the ball, given Barcelona’s last 16-tie with Lyon hangs in the balance after a goalless draw in France, while Atletico hold a 2-0 lead over Juve but can expect an onslaught in Turin.
“We have a crucial match on Wednesday,” Ernesto Valverde said. “We know the importance it has for many reasons — because of the opponent, the competition and because we have seen what has happened to other big teams already.” —