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Disciplined Barca cruise to three points away to Eibar

Xinhua, March 15, 2015 Adjust font size:

FC Barcelona moved four points clear at the top of the BBVA Primera Liga on Saturday night thanks to a disciplined if unspectacular 2-0 win away to Eibar on Saturday evening.

Two goals from Leo Messi, his 31st and 32nd of the season, were enough to give Barcelona the three points and pressure Real Madrid in their game at home to Levante on Sunday night.

With an eye on Wednesday's Champions League tie at home to Manchester City and with full backs Dani Alves and Jordi Alba suspended, Luis Enrique made changes in the Barcelona midfield, giving a surprise start to Sergio Roberto alongside Ivan Rakitic anf Rafinha.

However, there were no surprises in attack where Leo Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez led the line.

After a run of seven straight defeats, Eibar coach Gaizka Garitano played a five man defense and with Manu Del Moral as a lone striker.

The first half saw Barca control most of the ball, but neither side managed a shot on target until the half hour when Messi's shot deflected to hit Eibar defender Borja Ekiza on the arm.

Messi then buried the resulting penalty to score his 31s league goal of the season.

Javi Lara went close for Eibar with a shot that went just past the post, while Luis Suarez was on the verge of doubling Barca's lead on the stroke of halftime, only for his effort to deflect over for a goal kick.

Messi scored his second goal of the game with a rare headed goal from a corner kick, ten minutes after the break. He was left unmarked and his diving header beat the defender posted on the line.

Eibar went close through Federico Piovaccari, who hit the crossbar in the last minute of the game, while Pedro saw a shot saved in injury time in virtually the last action of a game of few chances.

The battle for third and fourth place in the table also heated up over the past 24 hours as Valencia won 2-0 at home to Deportivo la Coruna to move into third place ahead of Atletico Madrid, who could only draw 0-0 away to Espanyol.

Atletico had the best of the few chances, despite playing with a player less for three quarters of the game after Joao Miranda was sent off for leading with his elbow in a jump, but the draw means their slim title chances have now disappeared for this season. Endi