Barcelona continued their fine form of late as they thrashed European hopefuls Real Sociedad 6-1 in the LaLiga game. The match held personal significance to Lionel Messi, who became the club’s leading appearance maker.
A thrashing was on the cards when Lionel Messi and Barcelona took on UEFA Champions League hopefuls, Real Sociedad. The Catalans beat the Basque side 6-1 to continue their winning run. They have now won five league matches on the bounce and are just four points behind leaders Atletico Madrid with ten games still left to play.
Ronald Koeman picked Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, and Ousmane Dembele to lead the attack. It proved to be the correct call, with all three getting on the score sheet. Former Sociedad star, Griezmann, opened the scoring in the 37th minute. Right-back Sergino Dest then added a second two minutes before the interval to give Barcelona a comfortable lead.
Dest doubled his tally shortly after the half-time, tapping a Jordi Alba cross into the empty net. Lionel Messi got in on the act soon after, scoring his 22nd goal of the LaLiga season. Ousmane Dembele netted his side’s fifth before Messi completed a memorable day – both for him and for the club – with his second of the match. Ander Barrenetxea pulled one back for the home side to soften the blow, albeit not by much.
Speaking to Marca after the match, Koeman praised his side while also lauding the combined efforts of his players, many of whom stepped up to help Messi in his scoring duties.
I think we had a great game,
the Dutchman said.
It was difficult for us to score the first one. After 2-0, we dominated the game and created many opportunities and were very effective.
It is important in a complicated game to have that effectiveness. You have to have it to open the scoring because after that they begin to leave more space. Then we have punished them. The most positive thing is the image we have shown today. It is a demonstration that we are going for everything. It is always important to have people, apart from Leo, who score goals.
After a torrid start to their campaign, Barcelona are back on track and continue to push league-leaders Atletico Madrid, who have seen their lead cut down to just four points. The two sides are yet to play each other again this campaign, with the key tie scheduled for May 9.
Meanwhile, the fixture at Camp Nou held a personal significance to Messi. The Argentine overtook former teammate Xavi Hernandez to become the club’s leading appearance maker. He made his 768th appearance for the Catalan side, seventeen years on from his debut. The Argentine also continued his sublime form in this calendar year, as he recorded his twenty-third goal involvement in 2021 – more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues.
Despite Barcelona’s continued run of excellence and Messi’s individual form, the player’s future remains very much up in the air. Newly elected Club President, Joan Laporta, spoke about his intentions to keep the Argentine at the club in his latest address, noting his affection for the player and calling him to carry on at Camp Nou.
I am here to make decisions, like convincing Leo to carry on, taking advantage of the fact that he is here. He knows that,
Laporta said.
You know the affection I hold for you and we will do whatever it takes to keep you here. You know you cannot leave, Leo.
We will not be able to do it alone. As our anthem says, we are strong, all together. More so in these most difficult times. We know how to do it.
Winning another trophy could be key to convincing Messi to stay at the club. Barcelona are through to the final of the Copa del Rey, where they will face Athletic Club de Bilbao. Meanwhile, they will resume their La Liga title challenge when they face Real Valladolid on the other side of the international break.
