Ath Bilbao 2 - 5 Barcelona

10.02.2015 00:59

Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona as they moved within a point of La Liga leaders Real Madrid after winning a breathless encounter at Athletic Bilbao.

Messi's deflected free-kick, and a precise finish into the bottom corner from Luis Suarez put Barca in control.

Athletic's Mikel Rico stroked in after half-time, before Oscar De Marcos's own goal and Neymar put Barca 4-1 up.

Home striker Aritz Aduriz hit a fourth goal in seven minutes for 4-2, then Barca's Pedro tapped in a late fifth.

After opening the scoring, Argentina captain Messi turned provider to help create each of Barcelona's other four goals.

Neymar could have added a sixth, shooting straight at Athletic keeper Gorka Iraizoz when clean through, as Barca showed little mercy on a home side reduced to 10 men for the final 15 minutes.

Athletic defender Xabier Etxeita was sent off for a crude challenge on former Liverpool forward Suarez.

But, even with 11 men, the home side did not look capable of preventing a comfortable win for the visitors.

Barcelona were accused of being in "crisis" a month ago as speculation about Messi's future and political in-fighting at boardroom level followed a surprise defeat at David Moyes' Real Sociedad.

Coach Luis Enrique's position also came under scrutiny as that insipid performance saw Barca trail arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish title race.

However, the Catalan club have won their last five league matches - nine across all competitions - to strengthen their ambitions of regaining the title from Atletico Madrid.

The defending champions, who are third, blew open the title race with a 4-0 home win against Real in Saturday's Madrid derby.

And that heavy defeat for Real, coupled with Barca scoring 21 in their last five wins, means Luis Enrique's side now have a superior goal difference than their rivals - which could prove vital in the title race.

Elsewhere, Valencia moved up to fourth with a 2-1 victory at Espanyol, leapfrogging Sevilla who lost 2-1 at Getafe.

(BBC)

ANN.Az

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