Messi brace sets up perfect stage for Clasico

The Argentine opened scoring from a spot kick to improve his poor penalty form

MADRID: Barcelona piled pressure on Real Madrid at the top of La Liga as a double from Lionel Messi eased them to a 2-0 win at Eibar on Saturday.

The Argentine overcame his recent penalty yips to open the scoring from the spot and then headed in his side's second from Ivan Rakitic's corner.

Barca boss Luis Enrique made seven changes with Wednesday's meeting with Manchester City in the Champions League, as well as the Clasico, in mind and he warned both Barca's next opponents that they couldn't be in a better state heading into those match.

"We arrive at the Clasico as leaders and in a perfect state," said Enrique. "I don't consider this to be the most important week [of the season] but a great week. It will decide if we can get to the quarters or not of the Champions League because City have a lot of quality."

It took the Catalans half an hour to break down Eibar's well-organised defence with a sweeping move that led to Borja Ekiza handling a shot from Messi.

The four-time World Player of the Year had missed five of his last 11 penalties, but made no mistake from the spot as he thumped the ball home left-footed.

Barca could have been further ahead at the break as Luis Suarez fired just off target from Rakitic's chested pass.

Neymar was then denied from a narrow angle by Jaime Jimenez after a lovely through ball by Messi.

But it was to be Messi who put the game beyond any doubt as he was left free inside the area to head Rakitic's cross into the far corner.

 
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