Messi scores two as Barcelona go third
Ronald Koeman said Barcelona may still gain La Liga after Lionel Messi scored twice on Wednesday found in a 3-2 make an impression on Athletic Bilbao.
Messi's double helped Barca decrease the gap in back of La Liga's leaders Atletico Madrid to seven tips, regardless if Atletico will come to be hard to get, given they also have two games in hand.
Koeman admitted last week it will be "very difficult" to close the gap but was more optimistic after the victory in San Mames.
"There is always a opportunity," he said. "The growing season is very much time and you can contain ups and downs. It may be that one workforce that is doing very well will afterwards find it too difficult."
Barca trailed to an early on Inaki Williams strike but responded with a slick attacking efficiency that had Messi in the centre of it.
It had been his cross that led to Pedri's equaliser and the Argentinian could have had a hat-trick, limited to VAR and the woodwork to intervene.
But this was an antique display from the 33-year-old, certainly his best of the season so far, at the same time when his potential at Barcelona remains up in the air flow.
Only a past due mistake took a number of the shine off Messi's night, a poor pass allowing Iker Muniain to finish and make the effect look closer than it had been.
Bilbao had scored found in the 3rd minute and the 90th, every time exposing Barcelona's defensive frailties that remain unsolved.
Yet among, Koeman's team could actually dictate the meet and demonstrate why in the years ahead they are still a force to end up being reckoned with.
- 'Team is growing' -
"The team keeps growing, playing with more confidence," said Koeman. "Sometimes we look near our best."
Pedri was excellent again, his sumptuous backheel for Messi's initial aim another indication of the 18-year-old's skill and his understanding along with his captain.
Ousmane Dembele, meanwhile, enjoyed one of those virtuouso nights where his quickness, invention and confidence built him look every bit like among the world's most interesting players.
"Everything starts with the player himself," said Koeman. "He offers us a lot."
Bilbao were taking part in their first video game under new mentor Marcelino Garcia Toral, who led Valencia to gain the previous completed Copa del Rey by beating Barca in the final.
He was springing off the bench and clenching his fists found in the 3rd minute after Williams raced found in behind, touching inside scrambling Clement Lenglet before driving home.
But Barcelona were invigorated.
Sergino Dest must have scored after a neat exchange between Messi and Antoine Griezmann before Pedri did, Messi's looping cross to the trunk post cushioned rear across for Pedri to nod found in.
Dembele was almost unplayable, drifting inside about a minute and darting forward another nonetheless it was Pedri's vision that created Barca's second.
Messi sent him through, the youngster cutting interior before viewing Messi behind him.
Pedri backheeled, wrongfooting the Bilbao defence and goalkeeper, with Messi sliding found in the finish.
Griezmann was denied after more great work by Dembele even though Messi had an objective ruled out and nicked the crossbar with a curling effort from length.
Bilbao were still in it and may have equalised early in the second half, with the lively Williams and Raul Garcia both heading close.
Yet their hopes were dashed soon after the hour when Messi struck again. He delivered the ball large to Griezmann via Pedri and when the pass came to the near content Messi was there to stroke in off the crossbar.
Messi could have had his hat-trick but hit the post again when Dembele's cross was dummied by Griezmann before a misplaced Messi pass allowed Muniain to draw one back again for Bilbao. It had been Messi's 1st mistake of the night time.
