'%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)
1. Lionel Messi the difference-maker
Barcelona have suffered a bit of Messidependencia in recent years and despite turning 32 last summer, the club have shown no signs of breaking free from his influence on the field.
Trending
There have been indications that the Barcelona skipper is far from his peak physically and accusations that he has been playing with a muscle problem in his thigh and a particular run of play against Sociedad where he was left panting after a short bust of pace in the 20th minute seemed to lay credence to this school of thought.
It was far from a vintage performance from Lionel Messi, with the Argentine international missing some gilt-edged chances and miscontrolling passes which was rather shocking for someone of his immense abilities.
The penalty offered the Rosario native to right all wrongs on the night and he took it, shooting low and hard to his right which gave Alex Merino absolutely no chance despite his best efforts.
The goal handed Barcelona a lifeline in a game they scarcely deserved to win and once more, they have their captain to thank for being the difference-maker.
