Barcelona 2-0 Athletic Bilbao: 5 Talking Points

#1 Lionel Messi combining well with Coutinho but the woodwork curse remains

Shake a leg, Leo!

When players like Coutinho and Messi get into their groove, football is just great to watch. It was a treat watching Neymar and Messi wreaking havoc in Spain and gutting oppositions like ruthless trappers.

Coutinho was always expected to fit in easily at Barcelona thanks to his impeccable technique and passing range. But what is really reassuring for the fans of the Cules will be how efficiently Lionel Messi has created an understanding with the Brazilian.

The duo was often seen playing off of each other and Messi seemed to easily understand what the Brazilian was up to more often than not. This is exactly what the doctor ordered at the Camp Nou in the aftermath of the much celebrated departure of Neymar.

Messi enjoyed himself so much he even broke out into a disco routine rather surprisingly after scoring his goal, much to the amusement of the Camp Nou.

Meanwhile, Barcelona's woodwork curse looks like its here to stay. Though it came to their help 4 times over the 2 legs against Chelsea, it denied them thrice on the evening as Philippe Coutinho was denied twice and Paulinho once.

Barcelona have hit the woodwork a whopping 38 times this season with Lionel Messi being the unluckiest of the lot after being denied 16 times in all this season.

If you missed it, here is Leo Messi having some twisted fun.

🎥 | Messi dance celebration after the goal. pic.twitter.com/lvsnxkddly

— Barca Centre Media (@centrevid) March 18, 2018