Luis Suarez on target as Barcelona continue march to title with win over 10-man Eibar
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Updated 17/02/2018 at 17:47 GMT
La Liga, Ipurua - Eibar 0 Barcelona 2 (Suarez 16', Alba 88')
Luis Suarez (Barcelone)
Image credit: Getty Images
Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba scored as Barcelona prepared for their Champions League clash against Chelsea by beating a spirited Eibar side 2-0 in La Liga.
On the face of the result, this looks like another routine win for the champions-elect, extending their lead at the top of the table to 10 points, but it was anything but. Eibar put up a real fight, even after being reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Fabian Orellana in the second half.
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Barcelona celebrate at Eibar.
Image credit: Getty Images
Suarez’s opener came against the run of play, with the Uruguayan getting on the end of a wonderful Lionel Messi pass to round the goalkeeper. Even Alba’s second goal, scored late in the game with the hosts down to 10 men, came just as Eibar were ramping up the pressure.
Valverde will be concerned with how weary his team looked especially ahead of next week’s trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in the last 16 of the Champions League.
But this result continues their march towards the Liga title.
TALKING POINT - When will Fabian Orellana learn?
This was the sixth time that Orellana has been sent off in La Liga, and the third time that he has seen red against Barcelona.
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Messi on the charge.
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The Chilean’s career has been dogged by his poor temperament, crashing out of his last club Celta Vigo due to his inability to keep his head, also falling out with Jorge Sampaoli when he was Chile national team manager. When will this talented player learn?
MAN OF THE MATCH - Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
It was somewhat surprising that Ernesto Valverde named the veteran in his starting lineup for this game, given that Barcelona face Chelsea in the Champions League next week, but this was a demonstration of Andres Iniesta’s importance to his team.
He was the one pulling the strings from his position just behind the central strikers. With Philippe Coutinho cup-tied, Iniesta will be key against Chelsea.
PLAYER RATINGS
- Eibar: Dmitrovic 7, Pena 5, Arbilla 6, Ramis 6, Angel 6, Orellana 4, Diop 6, Garcia 6, Jordan 7, Takashi 5, Kike 5. Subs - Charles 5, Lomban 5, Escalante 6
- Barcelona: Ter Stegen 6, Roberto 6, Pique 5, Umtiti 5, Alba 6, Rakitic 6, Busquets 5, Paulinho 5, Iniesta 8, Suarez 7, Messi 7. Subs - Coutinho 6, Vidal 6, Semedo
KEY MOMENTS
- 16’ GOAL! Eibar 0-1 Barcelona: That goal has come against the run of play! Barcelona score with their first real chance of the match. Messi threaded a wonderful pass through to Suarez, who rounds the keeper and finishes into the empty net.
- 21’ OFF THE CROSSBAR! Inches away from being an equaliser for Eibar! Orellana takes aim from 20 yards out, beating Ter Stegen, but his effort comes back off the bar. What a strike!
- 38’ MESSI HITS THE POST! That was very close to a second goal for Barcelona. The angle was exceptionally tight for the Argentine, but Messi strikes the woodwork with a whipped shot.
- 58’ WHAT A MOVE! That was an exceptional passing move from Eibar, with Diop and Orellana linking up to set up Inue with a chance. But he scuffs his shot wide of the post.
- 69’ SENT OFF! Orellana has been shown a second yellow card for another show of dissent and the home side have been reduced to 10 men! How many times is the Chilean going to do this?
- 88’ GOAL! Eibar 0-2 Barcelona: That's game over! Coutinho spotted the run of Vidal down the right, with the ball switched to Messi. Dmitrovic smothers the initial shot, but Alba squeezes in the effort on the rebound.
KEY STATS
- Fabian Orellana has been sent off six times in La Liga, three times against Barcelona
- Only Real Madrid (nine) have attempted more total shots than Eibar (eight) in a first half against Barcelona in La Liga this season
Graham Ruthven
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