Lionel Messi Save Barca in Draw

Lionel Messi Save Barca in Draw

Barcelona relatively has the second most prolific attacks in domestic league. It was put to test as they hit the road to Camp El Madrigal last January 8. The team was on the brink of being slammed with damaging results if not for the late leveler obtained by striker Lionel Messi.

Despite the clear dominance of Barcelona in terms of ball procession, the team struggled to do much more than just protecting it. Hence, hitting the bull’s eye did not come easy for them as they rallying against the Yellow Submarines.

With luck still on their side, mere chances kept flooding Barcelona in the early start. Andrés Iniesta tried to chip the ball into the box for Messi; Luis Suarez and Neymar da Silva Santos both snatched attempts. But the Yellow Submarines’ defense is perhaps at its peak to block potential leads from their challenger.

The hosting team came close to a goal success when Alexandre Pato made it through past Barcelona’s defense but the alert Lucas Digne put his effort to a halt by blocking.

The resume of the match had given Villarreal a spark of hope after a brilliant lead made by Nicola Sansone. The Italian striker impressively struck low across goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, which put hosts in front five minutes after half time.

Pressed for time, Barca raced to get their hands on any chance to find their way to the goal. And this time, Luis Enrique’s men kept a stern composure.

Shortly after, Barcelona was then given an opportunity to push for an equalizer after winning free kick 25 yards from the goal. Lionel Messi fired an unstoppable free-kick into the top-left hand corner that avoided the team’s defeat, but ended campaign in draw.

Photo Credit: telegraph.co.uk