Match Review : (Spain) Eibar v Barcelona / Espanyol v Atletico Madrid

Eibar v Barcelona

Barcelona's 2-0 victory over Eibar in which Lionel Messi shined once again.

Lionel Messi scored either side of half-time to give Barcelona a 2-0 win at struggling
Eibar and ensure the Catalans stay top of the Primera Division the week before next Sunday's crunch match with eternal rivals Real Madrid.

The Argentinian broke the deadlock from the penalty spot shortly after the half-hour mark and then scored a header early in the second half to seal the points for Barcelona.

The brace also sees the 27-year-old move ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in the La Liga scoring charts, totting up 32 goals in 26 starts.

With the second leg of their Champions League tie with Manchester City and the game with Madrid coming up next week, coach Luis Enrique named an unfamiliar looking side for Barcelona's first-ever match at Eibar.

Martin Montoya, Adriano, Marc Bartra, Sergi Roberto and Rafinha were handed race starts. Jordi Alba and Dani Alves were suspended and Luis Enrique opted to rest Javier Mascherano, but stuck with his fearsome attacking trident of Neymar, Messi and Luis Suarez.

Eibar have now lost their last eight matches but did not lie down against the league leaders.

Lionel Messi now has 32 goals in La Liga this season, moving ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Barca dominated the ball in the first period and had 70 per cent of possession, but the hosts did a good job of keeping them at bay, limiting the visitors to just one attempt on goal before the penalty.

The spot-kick came before an exquisite move between Suarez and Messi on the edge of the area and the Argentina international's shot was blocked by the arm of Borja Ekiza.

Messi has been inconsistent from the spot this season but showed no hesitation here, sending Jaime Jimenez the wrong way and sticking the ball into the bottom-right corner.

Messi scored again 10 minutes into the second half, arriving late in the box to head an out-swinging corner from Ivan Rakitic in to the far corner.

Gerard Pique was then perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty when he appeared to block an Eibar shot in the area with his hand.

Barca were well in control of the game and although Neymar, Messi and Rafinha produced some exquisite moments of skill, they lost their hunger to keep scoring.

Instead, the best chance in the remaining minutes fell to Eibar forward Federico Piovaccari, who struck the crossbar with a half-volley from just a few yards out and also failed to turn in the rebound.

Espanyol v Atletico Madrid 

Atletico Madrid were unable to reclaim third place in the Primera Division after being held to a goalless draw at Espanyol, although Diego Simeone's side played the entire second half with 10 men.

Atletico were the better side even after defender Miranda was shown a straight red card for an elbow, and they were only denied a late winner by some fine goalkeeping by Kiko Casilla.

Although Atletico did well to stay in command of the game after Miranda was dismissed, this was their third straight draw in the league and meant they remained in fourth place behind Valencia, who beat Deportivo La Coruna on Friday.

Antoine Griezmann returned to the starting XI after missing the 1-1 draw with Valencia through suspension and he partnered Fernando Torres in attack, with Mario Mandzukic, along with left-back Guilherme Siqueira, suspended.

The visitors made a bright start to the game and created five chances in the opening 20 minutes. Fernando Torres came closest to scoring when he flicked a Koke free-kick towards goal, but Casilla reacted quickly to tip the ball over the bar.

The goalkeeper also saved well from Gabi's effort from outside the area, while Griezmann flashed a shot just wide of the near post.

Espanyol played a more cautious game and struggled to cause Atletico many problems in either half, even with their numerical advantage. Indeed, Sergio Gonzalez's side only managed one shot on goal over the 90 minutes.

Atletico slipped further behind in the race to defend their 2013-14 title.

The flashpoint arrived just before half-time when Miranda contested a high ball with Abraham and led with his elbow, hitting the midfielder in the face.

After several minutes' consideration as the two players recovered from the knock, referee Inaki Vicandi Garrido showed the Brazilian a straight red card.

Few Atletico players protested the decision as Abraham was taken off the pitch on a stretcher and taken to hospital as a precaution.

Diego Simeone reacted immediately by taking off Torres and bringing on centre-back Jose Maria Gimenez and the change worked as Espanyol failed to break down the visitors, who had two further chances to win the game.

With 13 minutes remaining Griezmann threaded the ball through to Raul Garcia on the edge of the area, but Casilla got down low to push the midfielder's shot around the far post.

Then the keeper used his feet to repel a weak shot from substitute Arda Turan, and defender Alvaro Gimenez got in the way of the rebound to ensure the game ended goalless.