Without Neymar, Messi, Suarez Keep Barcelona Thriving

Date: 23 January 2018 - 20:06

News ID: ۴۹۲۱۹

MADRID (AP) - It turns out Barcelona had the solution to its problems right at home.
After starting the season surrounded by doubts following failed attempts to bring in a top player to replace Neymar, Barcelona showed it can do just fine regardless.
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez proved they can get the job done by themselves, leading Barcelona to an impressive first half of the season.
With the talented duo thriving, Barcelona became the runaway leader in the Spanish league and stayed alive in the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.
Messi and Suarez have combined to score 34 goals in the Spanish league, more than the total tally of all but three other teams.
There was concern when Barcelona failed to sign Philippe Coutinho after Neymar left for Paris Saint-Germain in the offseason, but the duo took over the attacking responsibility and made sure the team stayed highly competitive despite not having the extra forward. The Catalan club added young France forward Ousmane Dembele, but the France international got injured and hasn't been able to play much.
Messi has been on a level of his own, leading the league in scoring with 19 goals. He has scored nine times in his last 10 games.
The Argentina forward had a mesmerizing performance in Barcelona's 5-0 rout at Real Betis on Sunday, scoring twice and being applauded by some of the opposing fans.
Suarez has also been impressive.
The Uruguay striker also scored twice against Betis, reaching 100 goals with Barcelona in 114 matches. He is the league's second-best scorer with 15 goals, and has found the net 10 times in his last eight matches.
His first goal on Sunday was a neat volley from inside the area, and the second was a well-placed shot into the top corner after a set up by Messi.
Messi and Suarez helped Barcelona open an 11-point lead at the start of second half of the Spanish league, its biggest advantage after 20 matches since the 2008-09 season.
Barcelona has a 19-point lead over defending champion Real Madrid, which it beat 3-0 at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium late last year with Messi and Suarez each scoring once.
********FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates the fourth goal of his team with Luis Suarez after scoring against Real Sociedad during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Real Sociedad, at Anoeta stadium, in San Sebastian, northern Spain, Sunday, Jan.14, 2018.