'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Marc Bartra were all on target as Barcelona comprehensively beat relegation-threatened Almeria 4-0 at Camp Nou to maintain pressure on Real Madrid in the race for the La Liga title.Messi broke the deadlock shortly after the half hour mark with a sublime curling effort from the edge of the area. Suarez and Bartra scored later in the second half to put the tie beyond doubt before the Uruguayan bagged his second in injury time to round off a comfortable evening for the hosts.This game against Almeria was the last slightly easy clash for the Catalans, who now have a packed schedule against some formidable opponents - Sevilla, PSG, Valencia, PSG again and then the derby against Espanyol in the next 2 weeks. Here are the 5 talking points from the game:
#1 Xavi shows why Barcelona must keep him
The Barcelona stalwart is in the twilight of his career and probably leaving for Qatar at the end of the season. His role with the team has reduced in the last two seasons, owing to his age and his waning influence. However, his recent showings suggest otherwise.
Against Almeria, Xavi put in a great shift from the centre of the park, pulling the strings with nonchalance and panache. Almeria might not have been a very tough proposition, but that still doesn’t deny the class the midfielder oozed in the game. Against Celta Vigo last weekend, Xavi evinced how influential he can be in attack, stepping up to the plate when the chips were down.
He may be in his final few days with the club, but certainly hasn’t lost his magic touch yet and that may serve as food for thought for the Catalans.
#2 Bifouma the shining light for Almeria
The Almeria hitman may not have got on the scoresheet for the visitors, but showed how valuable he can be to the club with his impressive performance upfront.
Bifouma, the former Espanyol forward, was one of the better players going forward for the visiting side, with the Barcelona defence having to work very hard to match his guile and tenacity. The defenders, especially Bartra and Mascherano, had a torrid time in dealing with the Frenchman, who created a handful of chances for La Union.
The Andalusians are currently battling relegation in the 18th position, just 2 points adrift of the safe zone. They still have a slim chance of staying afloat in the Spanish top flight and Bifouma is the man who will be highly instrumental to it.
#3 Pedro lets his opportunity pass by
Having rested Neymar keeping the tricky trip to Seville in mind, Pedro was handed the start for the game and did little to impress Enrique. The Spanish international had fallen behind in the pecking order with Messi, Neymar and Suarez all first-choice, but a place in the starting lineup in this game came as an opportunity for him to prove his mettle and convince Luis Enrique to bump him up the roster.
Pedro though, did not endure an unconvincing game, but it wasn’t much of an august evening for him either. With some gripping fixtures in the coming weeks, this was a golden chance for him to book a place amongst the starters in those games by pulling off a top-drawer performance here. He, instead, turned out to be not very great in the game, and will see Neymar restored to the line-up against Sevilla this weekend.
Pedro has already spent much of this season on the bench and if he lets such brilliant opportunities pass by, his future at Barcelona is as good as over.
#4 Marc Bartra needs to focus on his defensive exploits more
Marc Bartra was given a rare start (just like Pedro) in this game and although he impressed with his attacking traits, he was found wanting at the back.
Thievy Bifouma gave him a torrid time, beating him on several occasions. It didn't lead to anything, but this was Almeria. Against better teams such as the upcoming fixtures against Sevilla and Valencia, who have much better attacking units, this could prove to be dangerous.
His miscued pass, in an attempt to find Dani Alves, triggered an attack from the visiting side and Bartra was left turning away in frustration. Although he scored the third goal of the night and also assisted Messi’s opener, his performance at the back wasn’t as impressive and this may not go down well with Enrique, who was likely able to confirm that the defender isn't yet good enough to hold down a place in his side.
#5 Luis Suarez critical in the crucial weeks ahead
The former Liverpool striker has had a stop-start beginning to life at Barcelona since his return from the lenghty ban. However, the turn of the year has seen a new vigour injected in him and he has been firing on all cylinders ever since.
Suarez had only a solitary goal going into the new year but now, 20 games later, has added 15 more goals and seems to have finally hit a purple patch. This meticulous rise of the Uruguayan over the last few months is going to be highly favourable for the Barcelona side who are still alive and challenging on all 3 fronts.
With some really crunch fixtures to be played in the next few days, Suarez’s incredible form is vital to his team and it may even go on to decide their fate for this season.
