FRONT THREE ‘N’ EASY Barca hitmen rip Eibar to shreds
BARCELONA trio Antoine Griezmann, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez tore Eibar apart to continue their sparkling start to the season.
Against a backdrop of unrest in Catalonia which forced them to travel to the Basque Country on Thursday, Ernesto Valverde’s side earned a fifth straight win.
And it was the front three who did the damage as they tormented the hosts.
Valverde said: “The understanding between Messi, Suarez and Griezmann is improving. It’s still a matter of time and games that they need.
“But great players always know how to find a connection. This game was a very important test for us after the start we’ve had – and we came through it.”
Valverde had warned against heaping expectation on Messi as the Argentinian continues his recovery from an injury-plagued start.
But he took centre stage here and played his part in the 13th- minute opener when Griezmann fired low past Marko Dmitrovic. The visitors went through the gears after the break and, although Suarez had an effort ruled out for offside, it wasn’t long before Messi was celebrating as he netted after an hour.
Messi then provided a square ball to Suarez, who tapped home moments later.
Suarez’s strike was his 184th, moving the Uruguyan striker up to joint fourth on the club’s all-time top-scorers list. ATLETICO MADRID were left frustrated after being pegged back late on by Valencia.
Diego Simeone’s side led following a firsthalf penalty from Diego Costa (right). But Valencia hit back when Daniel Parejo struck in the 82nd minute with a fine free-kick.
Parejo’s equaliser ended Atletico’s run of 557 minutes without conceding a goal.
Despite Lee Kang-in’s red card in injury time, Atletico could not muster a winner.