 Friday, January 8, 2021 12:03:01 AM |
Follow Us On: 
BREAKING NEWS:
Messi double gives Barca renewed hope in La Liga title chase
photo by
By
08th-Jan-2021
AFP, Madrid :
Ronald Koeman said Barcelona can still win La Liga after Lionel Messi scored twice on Wednesday in a 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao.
Messi's double helped Barca reduce the gap behind La Liga's leaders Atletico Madrid to seven points, even if Atletico will be hard to catch, given they also have two games in hand.
Koeman admitted last week it would be "very difficult" to close the gap but was more optimistic after the victory at San Mames.
"There is always a chance," he said. "The season is very long and you can have ups and downs. It may be that one team that is doing very well will later find it difficult."
Barca trailed to an early Inaki Williams strike but responded with a slick attacking performance that had Messi at the heart of it.
It was his cross that led to Pedri's equaliser and then the Argentinian could have had a hat-trick, only for VAR and the woodwork to intervene.
But this was a vintage display from the 33-year-old, perhaps his best of the season so far, at a time when his future at Barcelona remains up in the air.
Only a late mistake took some of the shine off Messi's night, a poor pass allowing Iker Muniain to finish and make the result look closer than it was.
Bilbao had scored in the third minute and the 90th, each time exposing Barcelona's defensive frailties that remain unsolved.
Yet in between, Koeman's team were able to dictate the match and demonstrate why going forward they are still a force to be reckoned with.
"The team is growing, playing with more confidence," said Koeman. "Sometimes we look close to our best."
Pedri was excellent again, his sumptuous backheel for Messi's first goal another indication of the 18-year-old's talent and his understanding with his captain.
Ousmane Dembele, meanwhile, enjoyed one of those virtuouso nights where his speed, invention and confidence made him look every bit like one of the world's most exciting players.
"Everything starts with the player himself," said Koeman. "He gives us a lot."
Bilbao were playing their first game under new coach Marcelino Garcia Toral, who led Valencia to win the last completed Copa del Rey by beating Barca in the final.
He was springing off the bench and clenching his fists in the third minute after Williams raced in behind, touching inside the scrambling Clement Lenglet before driving home.
But Barcelona were invigorated.
Sergino Dest should have scored after a neat exchange between Messi and Antoine Griezmann before Pedri did, Messi's looping cross to the back post cushioned back across for Pedri to nod in.
Dembele was almost unplayable, drifting inside one minute and darting forward the next but it was Pedri's vision that created Barca's second.
Messi sent him through, the youngster cutting inside before seeing Messi behind him.
Pedri backheeled, wrongfooting the Bilbao defence and goalkeeper, with Messi sliding in the finish.
Griezmann was denied after more good work by Dembele while Messi had a goal ruled out and then nicked the crossbar with a curling effort from distance.
Bilbao were still in it and might have equalised early in the second half, with the lively Williams and Raul Garcia both going close.
Yet their hopes were dashed just after the hour when Messi struck again. He sent the ball wide to Griezmann via Pedri and when the pass came to the near post 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 pull one back for Bilbao. It was Messi's first mistake of the night.
Ronald Koeman said Barcelona can still win La Liga after Lionel Messi scored twice on Wednesday in a 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao.
Messi's double helped Barca reduce the gap behind La Liga's leaders Atletico Madrid to seven points, even if Atletico will be hard to catch, given they also have two games in hand.
Koeman admitted last week it would be "very difficult" to close the gap but was more optimistic after the victory at San Mames.
"There is always a chance," he said. "The season is very long and you can have ups and downs. It may be that one team that is doing very well will later find it difficult."
Barca trailed to an early Inaki Williams strike but responded with a slick attacking performance that had Messi at the heart of it.
It was his cross that led to Pedri's equaliser and then the Argentinian could have had a hat-trick, only for VAR and the woodwork to intervene.
But this was a vintage display from the 33-year-old, perhaps his best of the season so far, at a time when his future at Barcelona remains up in the air.
Only a late mistake took some of the shine off Messi's night, a poor pass allowing Iker Muniain to finish and make the result look closer than it was.
Bilbao had scored in the third minute and the 90th, each time exposing Barcelona's defensive frailties that remain unsolved.
Yet in between, Koeman's team were able to dictate the match and demonstrate why going forward they are still a force to be reckoned with.
"The team is growing, playing with more confidence," said Koeman. "Sometimes we look close to our best."
Pedri was excellent again, his sumptuous backheel for Messi's first goal another indication of the 18-year-old's talent and his understanding with his captain.
Ousmane Dembele, meanwhile, enjoyed one of those virtuouso nights where his speed, invention and confidence made him look every bit like one of the world's most exciting players.
"Everything starts with the player himself," said Koeman. "He gives us a lot."
Bilbao were playing their first game under new coach Marcelino Garcia Toral, who led Valencia to win the last completed Copa del Rey by beating Barca in the final.
He was springing off the bench and clenching his fists in the third minute after Williams raced in behind, touching inside the scrambling Clement Lenglet before driving home.
But Barcelona were invigorated.
Sergino Dest should have scored after a neat exchange between Messi and Antoine Griezmann before Pedri did, Messi's looping cross to the back post cushioned back across for Pedri to nod in.
Dembele was almost unplayable, drifting inside one minute and darting forward the next but it was Pedri's vision that created Barca's second.
Messi sent him through, the youngster cutting inside before seeing Messi behind him.
Pedri backheeled, wrongfooting the Bilbao defence and goalkeeper, with Messi sliding in the finish.
Griezmann was denied after more good work by Dembele while Messi had a goal ruled out and then nicked the crossbar with a curling effort from distance.
Bilbao were still in it and might have equalised early in the second half, with the lively Williams and Raul Garcia both going close.
Yet their hopes were dashed just after the hour when Messi struck again. He sent the ball wide to Griezmann via Pedri and when the pass came to the near post 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 pull one back for Bilbao. It was Messi's first mistake of the night.
News Archive
Inside The New Nation
-
Editorial »
Bangladesh needs hard negotiations in WTO to retain trade facilities
IN their fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the least developing countries (LDCs) have called for an extension of the existing trade preferences for an additional period of 12 years, starting from 1 July 2021, to implement the World Trade Organisation's trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPS) agreement. According to ...
-
Business & Economy »
Gazi Golam Murtoza, Director of Jamuna Bank Limited, inaugurating its 315th ATM Booth at Morapara in Rupgonj in Narayangonj recently. Md.Fazlur Rahman Chowdhury, DMD and other senior officials of the bank, were also present.
-
City »
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami calls on Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury at the latter's office of the ministry on Thursday.
-
International »
Biden selects Judge Merrick Garland for attorney general
Reuters :President-elect Joe Biden will nominate federal appeals judge Merrick Garland to be the next US attorney general, a Biden transition official said on Wednesday, a choice most Americans know as the Supreme Court nominee of President Barack Obama memorably blocked by Republicans.Garland, 68, serves as a judge on the ...
-
Football »
Messi double gives Barca renewed hope in La Liga title chase
AFP, Madrid :Ronald Koeman said Barcelona can still win La Liga after Lionel Messi scored twice on Wednesday in a 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao.Messi's double helped Barca reduce the gap behind La Liga's leaders Atletico Madrid to seven points, even if Atletico will be hard to catch, given they ...
-
Entertainment »
SaReGaMaPa’s folk singer Ankon
Entertainment Report :Ankon Yasmin is one of the promising folk singers of present generation. Her full name is Ananya Yasmin Ankon who got primary learning in music from her father A Kashem Anu. Father is her inspiration of music. Hailed from Chapainawabganj, Ankon has been developing her skill in music ...
-
Football »
Abahani, Bashundhara lock horns in 2nd semi-final today
Star-studded Dhaka Abahani Limited takes on holders Bashundhara Kings in the second semi-final of Federation Cup Football scheduled to be held today at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.Private satellite channel T Sports will telecast the match live that kicks off at 4 pm.Abahani had to sweat to reach the last four ...
-
Cricket »
Mustafizur placed in platinum category for PSL
Bangladesh pace sensation Mustafizur Rahamn was placed in the platinum category, the highest level of the Players' Draft of Pakistan Super League (PSL).He is the only Bangladeshi player to be placed in this category alongside the top players of the world.The players' draft of the sixth edition of PSL will ...
-
Editorial »
World leaders must uphold the commitment of Paris Deal
MORE than half the world's nations failed to submit upgraded commitments by year's end to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, straggling behind the schedule of accelerated climate ambitions set out in the Paris Agreement. Almost every country on the planet signed up to the 2015 Paris deal, which calls for ...
-
International »
Lahore High Court outlaws virginity tests in abuse cases
Dawn.com :Pakistan's Lahore High Court has declared that the two-finger test (TFT) and the hymen test for the purposes of ascertaining virginity of a female victim of rape or sexual abuse as illegal and unconstitutional."The virginity test offends the personal dignity of the female victim and therefore is against the ...
-
International »
Portuguese nurse dies two days after getting Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine
Zee News :A health worker in Portugal died two days after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. This comes as a shock to the world community and has raised questions over the safety and efficiency of the Pfizer vaccine. According to the Daily mail, Sonia Acevedo, a 41-year-old nurse suffered a "sudden ...
-
City »
On behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmed distributes CIP crest and certificates at Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the city on Wednesday marking 'International Migrants Day-2020'. Prime Minister attends the function virtually.
-
City »
Ballad of a Patriot to be screened
Film on Dr. Anwarul Karim's book, The Ballad of a Patriot, on the life and legacy of Bangabandhu is now underway by the Mystic Lanes Production, Dhaka. A project profile on the making of the film has already been made. The film would include CGI and VFX technology, this was ...
-
Entertainment »
Ankhi has no arrangement on birthday
Sheikh Arif Bulbon :Today is the birthday of National Film Award winner singer and actress Ankhi Alamgir. She has been celebrating the day amid festivity for last few years. But this year she has no plan to arrange any programme due to Corona pandemic. Ankhi informed that she will stay ...
-
Business & Economy »
Kabir Ahmed made NRBC Bank DMD
Business Desk :Kabir Ahmed has been promoted to the rank of Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of NRB Commercial Bank Limited (NRBC Bank). Prior, Kabir Ahmed served as the Senior Executive Vice President. He also served as the Head of International Division and Chief Anti Money Laundering Compliance Officer (CAMLCO). Kabir ...
| The New Nation - Oldest English Daily of Bangladesh | ||
| Site Map | Privacy | Terms of Service | RSS | Help | Site Feedback | ||
| Copyright © 2013 - All Rights Reserved News: The New Nation Web: www.thedailynewnation.com | Editor: A.M. MUFAZZAL, Managing Editor: ARSHAD HOSEIN. Printed and published by MAINUL HOSEIN from the New Nation Printing Press. The New Nation, 1 R.K. Mission Road, Ittefaq Bhaban (3rd floor), Dhaka-1203, Bangladesh, Phones: PABX: 47115875, 47115879, 47114514, Fax : 880-2-47115865, email: For News: n_editor@bangla.net, n_news@bangla.net, For Advertisement, nnation@bangla.net | Designed & Developed by : |