4) Barcelona have to keep Lionel Messi fit
Lionel Messi only needed one touch to score and only three minutes on the pitch to have an impact for Barcelona today. The Catalans did labour a little in the first half and played with efficiency rather than ruthlessness.
Keeping Messi on the bench from the start was a good move by Enrique considering his recent injury struggles. When he came on the nature of play and confidence of the whole team just shot up a notch.
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Although they only managed a single goal in the second half they created a lot more chances than they did in the first because of the movement and vision of the Argentine magician.
Suarez was taken off at half-time and Alcacer was brought on. The striker at least had three clear cut chances to score a goal but his horrible finishing meant Messi’s contribution in the game won’t reflect in the numbers after it.
