Messi, Suarez, Griezmann all on target for Barca as Atletico held

MADRID: Barcelona’s ‘MSG’ strike force is finally clicked into gear as Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann all scored in a ruthless 3-0 victory over Eibar on Saturday.

Griezmann’s place in the newly-formed attacking trident has not been secure but the Frenchman opened the scoring at Ipurua before teeing up Messi and then playing the crucial pass for Suarez to make it three.

“There will be good and bad days but we are getting to know each other and bit by bit we will do even better,” said Griezmann.

An authoritative Barca display thrust them to the top of La Liga, for a few hours at least before Real Madrid play Real Mallorca. They moved three points clear of Atletico, who drew 1-1 at home to Valencia.

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi kicks the ball during the Spanish league football match SD Eibar against FC Barcelona at the Ipurua stadium in Eibar on October 19, 2019. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)
Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi kicks the ball during the Spanish league football match SD Eibar against FC Barcelona at the Ipurua stadium in Eibar on October 19, 2019. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)

The victory also dismissed suggestions their players might be affected by Friday’s postponement of next Saturday’s Clasico due to protests in Catalonia.

Violence in Barcelona and disruptions at El Prat airport meant Ernesto Valverde’s side altered their pre-match routine and embarked on a 589-kilometre bus trip to the Basque County on Friday.

All the while, discussions continued over the Clasico against Real Madrid, which is now expected to go ahead in December.

“It is fashionable not to agree on political issues but at least let’s agree on the date of the Clasico,” Valverde said afterwards. “It doesn’t seem to me that difficult.”

Barcelona's French forward Antoine Griezmann eyes the ball during the Spanish league football match SD Eibar against FC Barcelona at the Ipurua stadium in Eibar on October 19, 2019. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)
Barcelona's French forward Antoine Griezmann eyes the ball during the Spanish league football match SD Eibar against FC Barcelona at the Ipurua stadium in Eibar on October 19, 2019. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)

Perhaps chaos off the pitch inspired Barca to unite on it.

This was their fifth consecutive victory in all competitions, a sequence which is swiftly erasing memories of a stumbling start to the season.

The resurgence has coincided with Messi’s return from injury yet it was the fluidity and cohesion of the front three, rather than the Argentinian’s familiar solo brilliance, that will have been most pleasing for Valverde.

La Liga Santander - Eibar v FC Barcelona - Ipurua Municipal Stadium, Eibar, Spain - October 19, 2019   Eibar's Sergio Enrich in action with Barcelona's Arthur. - REUTERS/Vincent West
La Liga Santander - Eibar v FC Barcelona - Ipurua Municipal Stadium, Eibar, Spain - October 19, 2019 Eibar's Sergio Enrich in action with Barcelona's Arthur. - REUTERS/Vincent West

“Great players always understand each other,” Valverde said. “With time and matches they will understand each other even more.”

Griezmann has four goals since joining Barca from Atletico Madrid last summer but a series of underwhelming showings led to Ousmane Dembele starting against Sevilla before the international break.

There was good news too for Barcelona in defence, where Samuel Umtiti came through 90 minutes in what was his first appearance of the season. Umtiti, who has been out with a foot injury, replaced the banned Gerard Pique.

The only blot on the result was an injury to Sergi Roberto, who hurt his left knee and was replaced at half-time. He will be a doubt for the Champions League game away at Slavia Prague on Wednesday.

Valencia's player Dani Parejo (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match held between Atletico Madrid and Valencia FC at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain, 19 October 2019.  EPA/JUANJO MARTIN
Valencia's player Dani Parejo (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match held between Atletico Madrid and Valencia FC at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain, 19 October 2019. EPA/JUANJO MARTIN

The visiting fans chanted in support of the nine Catalan leaders imprisoned last week for a failed independence bid in 2017.

Griezmann’s finish clipped the inside of the post and found the net after 13 minutes.

Messi should have made it two before half-time but was denied one-on-one by goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic. Suarez’s goal was ruled for offside.

Barca made it two just before the hour as Frenkie de Jong’s incisive ball was collected by Suarez. As he lost control, Griezmann took over, flicking left to Messi, who made no mistake.

The third involved all three again. Griezmann’s superb reverse pass set Messi clear and he generously slipped the ball left for Suarez who was left with an open goal.

Atletico Madrid's Portuguese forward Joao Felix (L) challenges Valencia's Spanish defender Jaume Costa during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid against Valencia CF at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on October 19, 2019. (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP)
Atletico Madrid's Portuguese forward Joao Felix (L) challenges Valencia's Spanish defender Jaume Costa during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid against Valencia CF at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on October 19, 2019. (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP)

Atletico lost ground as they were undone by a late Dani Parejo free-kick against Valencia at the Wanda Metropolitano, where both sides finished the game with 10 men.

Diego Costa scored a first-half penalty. In a mad final 10 minutes, Joao Felix limped off with all three of his team’s substitutes already used, Parejo struck in the 82nd minute and Valencia’s Lee Kang-In was sent off in injury-time.

Felix’s fitness will be a concern ahead of Atletico’s Champions League game at home to Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. - AFP

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