LIONEL MESSI NETTED his 30th goal of the season before missing his second penalty of the game as leaders Barcelona returned to winning ways in La Liga with a 1-0 victory over Real Valladolid.
Gerard Pique won the 43rd-minute spot kick that proved the difference between the sides but, following back-to-back draws against Valencia and Athletic Bilbao in the top flight, Ernesto Valverde’s men were again short of their fluent best.
Those previous results and Atletico Madrid’s win over third-bottom Rayo Vallecano earlier on Saturday meant Barca went into the game with their now-restored lead at the top trimmed to four points.
Former Blaugrana goalkeeper Jordi Masip impressed in goal for Valladolid, not least after substitute Philippe Coutinho won a second penalty and he plunged to his left to deny Messi.
Referee Juan Martinez Munuera rejected earlier penalty claims from Kevin-Prince Boateng on his first La Liga start but was persuaded by Pique’s slightly theatrical fall under Michel’s clumsy challenge.
Masip guessed correctly to his left but was beaten for power and accuracy by Messi, before Pique made himself useful in his own box – getting a vital touch with Enes Unal poised to convert Nacho’s cross.
Sergi Guardiola dragged a shot wide as Valladolid continued to acquit themselves well in the second half, although they were indebted to a stunning reaction save from Masip as he denied Messi on the half-volley.
The visiting keeper scrambled from his line effectively to snuff out danger after Boateng sprung a flimsy offside trap in the 55th minute.
Luis Suarez replaced the ex-AC Milan attacker with an hour played and he was soon thwarted by Masip in a one-on-one.
Messi’s frustrations approached boiling point as he was booked for protests following a robust challenge from Anuar Mohamed.
He would prove the match-winner, even if Masip did his mood no favours five minutes from time, calmly pouching his headed follow-up from the penalty save.
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Aa a barca fan, I’m getting worried.
They seem to be struggling currently.
Maybe it’s the February slump we used to see in peps era…… I’m hoping.
The day Messi hangs up the boots or finishes his playing days with Barca is the day you will see them struggle to make champs league places! They’re nothing without him
Barca were terrible. And the first half was one of the worst performances from Messi I’ve ever seen.
Valverde getting a contract renewal is criminal. Seems like his whole system is based on giving the ball to Messi and hoping for the best that he does something, playing him from the right wing and basically drifting into a no.10 the whole game.
Pretty easy to defend against when you just stick 2 or 3 men on Leo, especially when Barca can’t capitalise on the free space that it creates when they have strikers that couldn’t hit a barn door. In fairness Messi would have about 30 assists this season if Suarez wasn’t woefully out of form and they had another decent striker. So maybe it isn’t all on the manager, but they’ve been terrible recently regardless.
@Brian: 15 goals in 22 La Liga games is hardly woeful form from Suarez?
@Flaming Mo: hardly is right . Chaps class.
@Flaming Mo: are you aware that form usually refers to recent performances?
He has 1 goal in his last 7 games, and if you’ve been watching any of the games he’s been missing loads of chances. It’s actually becoming laughable.
@Seaniecp: what’s the point in commenting if you lads haven’t a clue what I’m on about or watched the matches?
He has been laughed out of the stadium recently from some of his terrible performances.
Missed 4 “big chances” in 30 minutes today for example. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
@Brian: Yeah and he’ll go on now and bang in a hat trick next game like he did against Real earlier in the season. All players go thru a few games where it doesn’t happen but over a long season players like Suarez will still end up as one the league’s top scorers. Class act.
@Flaming Mo: what are you on about. He’s in terrible form and is missing sitter after sitter. End of story.
Take the Liverpool blindfold off, you’re just making yourself look silly. Can’t see the point in making a comment when you clearly haven’t watched a recent Barca game. You haven’t refuted anything I said. Of course in general he’s been class throughout his career, but that has no relevance to what I said. But ask any Barca (or football) fan how inconsistent he’s been in the last year or 2 and how much he’s let Barca down in that time and you’ll know. 1 goal in 20 odd champions league games. Messi has made him look good recently.
Again, watch a match before you comment.
Cheers.
@Scottyyyyyy: and I’m coming back with my own opinion. And to be honest he doesn’t have an opinion if he hasn’t watched the games.
Somebody trying to contradict me on something they clearly haven’t a clue about is something I’ll always have a problem with.
Imagine trying to correct someone when you don’t even know the story or what they’re on about. It’s actually hilarious.
And thanks for the concern. I’m perfectly relaxed here, just correcting a clown and putting him in his place which is very satisfying. Better than any ride.
@Brian: whatever floats your boat I suppose. But fair enough if you believe that strongly about it. Have a good one
@Brian: It doesn’t matter what u say, he still has 15 in 22 La Liga games. Are u going to dispute that?
@Brian: better than any ride? Jesus you must be terrible in the sack.
30 goals and still quarter of the season to go!! Would love to see the guy play live before he retires