Barcelona 2 Alaves 1: Suarez and Messi Turn Tables on Brave Visitors

Barcelona 2 Alaves 1: Suarez and Messi Turn Tables on Brave Visitors

Lionel Messi assumed the familiar role of hero as Barcelona averted a Camp Nou scare to beat struggling Alaves 2-1 in La Liga.

Atletico Madrid’s 3-0 win over Las Palmas earlier on Sunday placed a modicum of pressure on Ernesto Valverde’s runaway leaders and it seemed to weigh upon then in a ragged first-half showing.

Philippe Coutinho made his full debut, but it was a more unheralded January signing, Alaves’ Celta Vigo loanee John Guidetti, who threatened the upset with a fortuitous 23rd-minute opener.

Abelardo Fernandez’s side remain two points above the drop zone and were left to rue missed chances by the time Luis Suarez netted the eighth top-flight maych in succession with 18 minuted left to play.

Typically, it fell to Messi to apply the coup de grace as he curled a delightful free-kick home in the 84th minute to spark raucous celebrations.

Barcelona remain undefeated and 11 points clear on their apparent procession to La Liga glory.

Watch highlights below…

https://youtu.be/TaDfxg1DPPw