Neymar (C) celebrates with Luis Suarez (L) and Lionel Messi (R) after scoring their third goal during FC Barcelona vs Real Sociedad de Futbol match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on November 28, 2015. PHOTO: AFP
Atletico Madrid kept the pressure on the European champions thanks to Antoine Griezmann’s solitary goal in a 1-0 win over Espanyol.
Messi was making his first league start in two months as he continues his comeback from knee ligament damage.
But the Argentine was initially outshone by his strike partners as they each swept home from two Dani Alves crosses to put Barca in command at the break.
Neymar then added his second shortly after half-time before teeing up Messi for his first league goal since September in stoppage time.
“They [Messi, Neymar, Suarez] are constantly looking for one another and when they all score everyone is happy,” said Dani Alves. “When you are winning it doesn’t matter who scores or sets up the goals. If we all keep playing well, we will all be happy.”
Meanwhile, Atletico had to once again settle for victory by a solitary goal despite a more impressive attacking display after Griezmann had prodded home Oliver Torres’s third minute cross for his 10th goal of the season.
Atletico kept their composure for the rest of the game to keep their 12th clean sheet in 18 games this season intact and close the gap on Barca.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2015.
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