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Barca dig deep to win away to Malaga

Xinhua, January 24, 2016 Adjust font size:

A second half goal from Leo Messi gave FC Barcelona a 2-1 win away to Malaga that takes them to the top of the BBVA Primera Liga on Saturday afternoon after what were some of their toughest 90 minutes of the season, against a rival who made them fight right until the final whistle.

Barca kicked off in Malaga without Neymar, who was suffering from a slight muscle strain, and Gerard Pique through suspension.

They also knew that they had failed to score against Malaga in either of their meetings last year and had only beaten them 1-0 earlier in the season.

They needed just 60 seconds to open their account in the Rosaleda Stadium as Munir tapped the ball into an empty net after Arda Turan set up Luis Suarez to wriggle past his marker and put the ball on a plate for the young striker to score.

The goal was a false dawn for Barca, however, as Malaga then produced 45 minutes of almost tactically perfect football, dropping deep when Barca had the ball and pressuring high up the pitch when their rivals were forced back.

As a result Barca were forced into a series of uncharacteristic errors with Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano especially responsible.

It needed a great save from Claudio Bravo to push a Chori Castro shot onto the post, before Charles was unlucky to be booked for diving in the Barca penalty area. However a goal was on the cards and Juampi levelled the score with a shot from the edge of the area after being given way to much space.

Miguel Torres produced a fine block to deny Messi before the break, but if anyone deserved to take a lead into the dressing room it was Malaga.

Apart from his chance Messi had been almost invisible, but he put Barca back ahead early in the second half with a stylish volley across Carlos Kameni from an Adriano cross.

Barca were a lot for comfortable in the second half as Malaga's physical level dropped although they needed another great save from Bravo after a poor Mascherano clearance with 15 minutes remaining.

Messi had two chances to seal the win, but saw one effort slide past the post before Kameni blocked a powerful effort with two minutes remaining. Endit