La Liga

Lionel Messi netted four goals, including a first-half hat-trick, as Barcelona put pressure on Real Madrid atop La Liga with a 5-0 win over Eibar at the Camp Nou on Saturday.

Messi fired the hosts ahead in the 14th minute with a superb effort and added two more quickfire goals in the 37th and 40th minutes to notch his 54th hat-trick for club and country.

The Argentinian added a fourth in the 87th minute before Arthur Melo completed the rout two minutes later.

Barca are two points ahead of Los Blancos, who can regain top spot if they beat Levante on Saturday evening.

A bright start from Eibar saw Sergi Enrich have the ball in the back of the net five minutes in when he headed home Cote's cross, but his goal was quickly disallowed for offside.

That served as a wake-up call for the hosts, who quickly assumed control of the contest.

They did so on the scoreboard, too, when Messi notched his first goal in La Liga since January 19 in sensational fashion:

By his standards, the Argentinian had been enduring something of a goal drought:

Soon after, Esteban Burgos made a vital block to deny Antoine Griezmann, before Arturo Vidal forced a save from goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic and fired wide on the rebound.

Messi had his second with a clinical finish after a driving run into the left side of the box:

Just three minutes later, he had his third. The Argentinian had teed up Griezmann, but the ball came straight back to him after the Frenchman was dispossessed, and he made no mistake from close range.

Dmitrovic kept the first-half scoreline at 3-0 when he made a double-save to keep out Griezmann and Sergio Busquets. The stopper also looked to have given away a penalty shortly before the break when he brought down the former, but Griezmann was offside.

Eibar improved somewhat after the break, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen had to make a fine save to keep out Cote, while Gonzalo Escalante had a goal disallowed for a dangerous high boot. Samuel Umtiti and Vidal also had late strikes ruled out for offside.

Substitute Martin Braithwaite made an impact on his debut with a hand in both of Barca's late goals.

It was his cross that Dmitrovic parried at Messi's feat for the Catalan giants' fourth and a rebound from his shot that Arthur turned in.

What's Next

Barcelona travel to Napoli in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday before taking on Real Madrid on March 1. Eibar face Levante in La Liga next Saturday.

Barcelona fans took aim at president Josep Maria Bartomeu ahead of the La Liga match against Eibar on Saturday, waving handkerchiefs and calling for his resignation.

Sports writer Sam Marsden shared footage of the scenes before the match:

According to Jordi Gil of Sport, the chants continued during the match as well. The waving of handkerchiefs―known as a panolada in Spain―started in the North Stand but eventually spread around the stadium.

Bartomeu came under fire during the week after SER (h/t Gil) reported he hired a third-party company to improve his image at the cost of several players and club legends.

He has refuted the reports, but Lionel Messi expressed doubt over his denial, per sports writer Dermot Corrigan:

Gerard Pique also weighed in, per AS' Santi Gimenez. He responded to a journalist who defended Bartomeu, calling him a "puppet" on social media.

Per ESPN FC's Moises Llorens and Sam Marsden, Blaugrana legends Xavi Hernandez, Carles Puyol and Pep Guardiola were all the target of criticism via the third-party company. Presidential candidates Agusti Benedito and Victor Font were also targeted, and the former has stated he will take legal action if the allegations are proved true.  

On the pitch, the Catalans were in fine form once the ball started rolling on Saturday. Messi netted a first-half hat-trick against Eibar, including this stunner:

Barcelona are on a three-match win streak in La Liga, trying to make it four against Eibar and close the gap to Real Madrid at the top of the standings. Los Blancos will be in action later on Saturday against Levante.

Real Madrid loanee Takefusa Kubo scored a brilliant 70th-minute equaliser to help Real Mallorca move out of the bottom three in La Liga thanks to a 3-3 draw away to Real Betis on Friday night.

Mallorca are up to 17th thanks to earning a priceless point at the Estadio Benjamin Villamarin but have played a game more than fellow strugglers Espanyol, Leganes and Celta Vigo, all of whom are in action this weekend.

By contrast, Betis missed out on the chance to move into the top 10 and begin thinking about qualifying for Europe next season. There is enough attacking quality, but Rubi's team is consistently undone by a fragility at the back.

Friday Result

Real Betis 3-3 Mallorca

Standings (Played, Won, Goal Difference and Points)

1. Real Madrid: 24, 15, +30, 53

2. Barcelona: 24, 16, +28, 52

3. Getafe: 24, +14, 42

4. Atletico Madrid: 24, 10, +8, 40

5. Sevilla: 24, 11, +6, 40

6. Villarreal: 24, 11, +10, 38

7. Valencia: 24, 10, +1, 38

8. Real Sociedad: 23, 11, +8, 37

9. Granada: 24, 10, -2, 33

10. Athletic Bilbao: 24, 7, +3, 31

11. Osasuna: 24, 7, -1, 31

12. Real Betis: 25, 7, -5, 30

13. Levante: 24, 9, -6, 29

14. Alaves: 24, 7, -9, 27

15. Real Valladolid: 24, 5, -7, 26

16. Eibar: 23, 6, -10, 24

17. Real Mallorca: 25, 6, -16, 22

18. Celta Vigo: 24, 4, -13, 21

19. Leganes: 24, 4, -18, 19

20. Espanyol: 24, 4, 21, 19

This six-goal thriller gathered pace when Juan Hernandez put Mallorca ahead in the 16th minute. It took less than three minutes for Betis to reply, with the equaliser coming from the penalty spot after the brilliant Nabil Fekir drew a foul in the box, before Sergio Canales duly converted from 12 yards.

Mallorca hit back eight minutes later when Kubo's corner fell to Ante Budimir. The Croatian finished smartly amid a melee inside the area.

Each team's marquee talents in the final third were delivering, and the pattern continued when Fekir levelled the score with a penalty of his own 10 minutes before the break. The spot-kick was conceded by substitute Fran Gamez, who was flagged for handball barely three minutes after replacing the injured Leonardo Koutris.

Fekir's successful conversion brought the curtain down on a truly spectacular first half:

Betis enjoyed their first lead three minutes after the break, courtesy of Joaquin. The 38-year-old winger continues to defy time in the winter of his career:

Joaquin continued to pull the strings, teeing up chances for both Fekir and Canales with excellent through passes. Mallorca stood firm, though, while Kubo was still causing problems whenever he got a clean run at defenders.

Betis didn't heed the warning signs, and the Japan international was unerring after combining with Budimir 10 minutes from time.

A player as naturally gifted as Kubo can drag Mallorca further away from the mire at the bottom of the table. Vicente Moreno needs to find a way to tighten up a defence now guilty of conceding 42 goals, the joint-most in the division.

Barcelona manager Quique Setien said on Friday he thinks his team can challenge for the UEFA Champions League and explained the Catalan giants have a "lot of confidence" in new signing Martin Braithwaite.

Setien told reporters he is optimistic about Barca's European hopes despite captain Lionel Messi having said his team are "not at the level to fight for the title" in an interview with Mundo Deportivo (h/t ESPN):

"I have seen every year how Champions Leagues are won and I think we could have the same chance as other teams.

"It is true that there is no margin for error and there are things we have to try to improve and do better. We are not happy with everything but I think we are growing little by little and we are reaching levels that will allow us to challenge."

Barcelona play Serie A side Napoli in the last 16, with the first leg at the Stadio San Paolo on Tuesday. 

The Spanish champions have suffered painful defeats to Roma and Liverpool in the last two campaigns and face a team that have notched up some impressive wins this season:

Before then, the Catalan giants take on Eibar in La Liga at the Camp Nou. Setien has called up new signing Martin Braithwaite to his squad for the match after he completed an emergency transfer from Leganes.

Setien said the club have followed the 28-year-old for some time and is backing the Denmark international to succeed at the Camp Nou.

"Martin is a player we have been following for a long time. He has some characteristics that will help us a lot. He's a boy that fits the needs we have and we have a lot of confidence he will help us. Not only is he a good footballer but he has a good brain too. I'm sure in some games we will use him from the start, maybe it's a bit early now. He comes in decent form but there are some ideas we have to explain to him."

Barcelona have spent €18 million to bring in Braithwaite on a deal until June 2024. He is only eligible to play in La Liga for Barca in 2019-20, and his signing has attracted criticism.

Former Barcelona striker Julio Salinas has described the transfer as a "poor decision" and "pure madness," per EP (h/t AS). Rivaldo told Betfair (h/t Marca) that he does not "understand nor agree with [Braithwaite's] signing."

Braithwaite's career has taken him to teams including Esbjerg, Toulouse, Middlesbrough, Bordeaux and Leganes. He has scored 84 goals in 348 club games and said he was not completely surprised by Barca's interest:

The Dane has plenty of work to do to win over his doubters at the Camp Nou, but his arrival will allow Setien room to rotate attackers Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Ansu Fati in the second half of the season.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has voiced his support for captain Sergio Ramos to sign a new contract at the club, as well as backing the defender to feature at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. 

Ramos has entered the final 18 months of his current deal—due to expire in June 2021—but it remains unclear as to whether the 33-year-old will pen new terms at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Zidane, 47, told reporters ahead of Saturday's league visit to Levante: "I always want to have Sergio with me. I see him very well."

But the extension may not be as straightforward. Sergio Santos Chozas of AS wrote on Thursday that the club are not keen to give Ramos the two-year extension he's said to be seeking, with talks between the two parties yet to get under way:

Ramos was 19 when he joined Real from Sevilla in 2005 for €27 million, which remains the highest fee paid for a Spanish teenager, per the Irish Times.

Agence France-Presse's Tom Allnutt provided further quotes from Zidane's press conference:

Ramos has made 636 appearances for Los Blancos in all competitions, and he's missed just four games this season because of injury (two games) or suspension (also two).

Aside from his defensive prowess, Ramos has come to be regarded as one of the most reliable penalty-takers in Europe, most recently scoring from the spot in a 2-2 draw at home to Celta Vigo, via Premier Sports:

The veteran will be 35 by the time his current contract expires, however, and it's perhaps understandable  Real would be reluctant to award him a two-year extension so far in advance.

Zidane also supported Ramos in his quest to take part in the Olympics: "Of course he should go. If he wants to go, then I'll support him. It's always great to play for your country."

The 170-times capped international—a record for Spain's national team—could be named as one of his country's three permitted over-23 players to compete at the Olympics beginning in July.

Spanish football journalist Euan McTear previously questioned the possibility of playing a European Championships and an Olympic tournament in the same summer:

The men's football tournament in Tokyo isn't due to end until August 8. The fixture dates for the 2020-21 La Liga campaign won't be confirmed until this summer, although it's almost certain to delay Ramos' start to the season if Spain go far in the competition.

The current Spanish league campaign began on August 16, 2019, and it's normal for players to take a vacation after featuring in a summer contest like the Olympics.

Zidane is nonetheless keen for his star to fulfil his wishes should he hope to compete for a gold medal in Japan, and Spain Olympic coach Luis de la Fuente said in October he "would never say no" to Ramos, per AS.

Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal said he has learned from his public dispute with Lionel Messi earlier in February and will deal with any issues in-house from now on.

Messi hit back at Abidal on social media after he suggested the players did not put enough work in under Ernesto Valverde, who was sacked as manager in January:

Per AS' Javier Miguel, Abidal said on Thursday: "I've learned a lot of things during the past few days. Internal issues have to be resolved internally and not through the media."

Abidal is a former team-mate of Messi's, but the Argentinian was evidently angry at his criticism of the players.

It seems he's still unhappy about the episode, based on an interview published in Mundo Deportivo on Thursday:

The Frenchman spoke on Thursday at the unveiling of new striker Martin Braithwaite, whom Barcelona were allowed to recruit as an emergency signing after Ousmane Dembele was ruled out for six months after hamstring surgery earlier in February.

Barca are also without Luis Suarez after he had knee surgery in January.

Abidal defended the squad, per Marca's Alejandro Segura:

"You can talk about a small squad, but there are injured players. If Dembele wasn't injured, we wouldn't be here.

"We can't control [Carles] Alena because he wanted to be loaned out, just like other players, and always after speaking with the coach.

"I don't talk about the number of players; the important thing is their quality."

It is not the fault of the players, but the club's squad planning this season has left much to be desired.

Football author Colin Millar was among many to take issue with La Liga's decision to allow them to make an emergency signing, given their decisions during the January transfer window:

Suarez underwent surgery on January 12, so the club were not caught unawares by his absence late in the window.

However, rather than keep the options they had or bring in a replacement then, Barca banked on the fitness of Dembele, who had been out of action since November with a hamstring injury.

Given the Frenchman's injury record at the Camp Nou, it was a hefty gamble that he'd return and remain fit for the rest of the season:

The club now have Braithwaite, whom Abidal is hopeful can be "decisive," to call upon.

He has eight goals and one assist to his name this season in 27 matches in all competitions.

The Dane had scored six of Leganes' 18 goals in La Liga. Leganes are 19th in the Spanish top flight, two points from safety.   

Eibar coach Jose Luis Mendilibar has complimented Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi on his efficiency, joking the "bastard rests in the game" ahead of the two teams' clash at the Camp Nou on Saturday. 

Barcelona are seeking their fourth consecutive league victory and can temporarily move two points in front of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga if they beat Eibar.

Mendilibar, 58, said during his pre-match press conference, per Marca: "I don't think [Messi] rests. This bastard rests in the game. He knows when he has to participate, when to rest. If he was given the day off he would have a worse time watching from the stands and get more tired."

The Eibar chief has lost all but three of his 22 meetings with Barcelona—Atletico Madrid are the only team he's faced more as a manager (24)—and his only win came during his tenure at Osasuna in February 2012.

Messi, 32, remains the top scorer in La Liga this season with 14 goals after 24 games, but the positive for Saturday's guests is he's netted only twice in his last nine top-flight appearances, per Goal:

Mendilibar—who managed Osasuna between February 2011 and September 2013—recalled an example of Messi's superhuman ability to affect any given game, even after recently suffering from illness:

"Once with Osasuna, we went to play a Copa del Rey game [at the Camp Nou].

"In the morning of the game [Messi] was ruled out because he had a problem with his stomach and had fever.

"After eating, he was called-up, he was on the bench, we were losing 2-0 and suddenly I see him warming up. He came on, scored two goals and we lost 4-0."

Despite his recent goal drought, Messi has remained influential in attack for Quique Setien's side of late, collecting six assists over the course of Barca's current three-game win streak in La Liga. The team would be seven points worse off in the standings without those contributions alone.

The Argentinian most recently set up Antoine Griezmann with a nutmeg assist during the 2-1 win over Getafe in Week 24:

It's clear there's admiration in the comments made by Mendilibar, who has seen Messi score 13 times in nine meetings against his Eibar side since he was reappointed their coach in 2015 (eight losses, one draw).

Los Azulgranas have a game in hand over 18 of the 19 other teams in La Liga, though defeat in Catalonia could see them lose their three-point cushion above the relegation zone. 

The Basque outfit have conceded 16 goals in their four visits to Barcelona with Mendilibar at the helm, netting only four of their own in the process.

Barcelona announced the controversial emergency signing of Leganes striker Martin Braithwaite on Thursday, and the Dane could be in line to make his Blaugrana debut alongside Messi at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona go in search of their sixth home win in a row on Saturday when they welcome struggling Eibar to the Camp Nou in La Liga.

Victory for the Catalan giants would see them temporarily move top of the table, as leaders Real Madrid are not in action against Levante until later in the day.

Eibar head to the Camp Nou just three points above the relegation zone and have managed only one win on their travels in La Liga in 2019-20.

Date: Saturday, February 22

Time: 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET

TV Info: beIN Sports (U.S.), LaLigaTV (U.K.)

Live Stream: beIN Sports Connect

Odds (courtesy of Caesars Palace): Barcelona 1-5, Draw 6-1, Eibar 12-1

Match Preview

Quique Setien's men have not wholly convinced in recent weeks but have still posted impressive wins over Levante, Real Betis and Getafe to cut the gap at the top to one point.

Captain Lionel Messi has not scored in his last four matches, a drought by his lofty standards, but he has still contributed six assists in his last three La Liga outings:

Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Ansu Fati are likely to continue in attack unless Setien hands new signing Martin Braithwaite a debut against Eibar.

The 28-year-old has arrived at the Camp Nou from Leganes as an emergency signing, after Ousmane Dembele was ruled out for six months, and he is keen to find the back of the net for his new team:

Setien's Barca still have their weaknesses, particularly in defence where they remain vulnerable, but they remain unbeaten at home in 2019-20 and are big favourites for victory.

Eibar's hopes of pulling off a shock win look slim at best, but they will be well-rested at least. The team have not played a competitive match since February 7, as their previous fixture against Real Sociedad was called off:

Jose Luis Mendilibar's side have a poor record against Barcelona. They have never beaten the Catalan giants in La Liga and have only managed to take a point once at Ipurua.

Barcelona may have one eye on Tuesday's UEFA Champions League trip to Napoli but will still be expected to complete a comfortable win on Saturday and keep Eibar in trouble at the bottom.

Real Madrid's game away to mid-table Levante is more than a mere warm-up for Wednesday's meeting with Manchester City in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League last 16.

Los Blancos have questions to answer about their own domestic title challenge after dropping two points at home to struggling Celta Vigo on Sunday.

The result means Real are just a point ahead of rivals Barcelona at the top of the table, making this a bad time to face a Levante side Los Merengues have beaten just twice in their last five meetings.

Barca will go top if they beat Eibar at home earlier on Saturday, increasing the pressure on Zinedine Zidane's side to respond. It won't be easy, though, with doubts about the fitness of forward Gareth Bale.

He struggled against Celta, but Eden Hazard made a spectacular return from injury. There are plenty of options to replace Bale, including Isco and James Rodriguez, so Real should have enough firepower to punish a shaky Levante defence, even if Zidane rotates his personnel with City in mind.

Date: Saturday, February 22

Time: 8 p.m. GMT/3 p.m. ET

TV Info: LaLiga TV (Premier Sports), beIN Sports

Live Stream: PremierPlayer.tv, beIN Sports Connect.

Odds

• Levante: +500 (bet $100 to win $500)
• Real Madrid: -205 (bet $205 to win $100)
• Draw: +375

Odds per Caesars Palace.

Bale was dispatched from training while suffering a bout of gastroenteritis, with Real fearful of the illness spreading, per Jordan Morris and Paul Clarke of the Manchester Evening News.

Striker Luka Jovic was also sent home, according to the report. Like Bale, the 22-year-old has struggled for form this season, with both players combining for a meagre four goals in the Spanish top flight.

Yet Jovic and Bale being 100 per cent would have afforded Zidane the option of resting key attackers. Specifically, he could have offered a breather to prolific No. 9 Karim Benzema by starting the Serbia international ahead of him, while Hazard would have welcomed a rest having only recently returned from a three-month injury absence.

Fortunately for Real, the Belgium international showed no signs of rust against Celta:

He should run riot against a Levante defence breached 36 times during 24 league games this season. It's the fourth-most goals conceded in the division and good news for Hazard and Benzema, provided the pair get the right support.

Isco has impressed when given his chances, scoring in the 4-1 win away to Osasuna on February 9. Even so, James is a mercurial talent who can turn on the style against anybody.

Zidane hasn't picked the natural No. 10 in the league since a 1-0 defeat away to Real Mallorca in October. However, now could be the perfect time to bring the Colombia international back into the fold.

Levante will struggle to keep pace regardless of who Zidane picks, but 10-goal striker Roger Marti may fancy his chances against Real's defence. Left-back Marcelo remains vulnerable, while 33-year-old skipper Sergio Ramos is beginning to slow down.

Marti will be helped by strike partner Borja Mayoral, who is eligible despite being on loan from Real. He's hit five goals during his successful sojourn in Valencia.

With Borja and Marti up front, Levante will have belief, particularly after recent results against Real. They won 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu in October 2018 and were narrowly beaten 3-2 in the Spanish capital in September last year.

Real won 2-1 at the Estadi Ciutat de Valencia a year ago, though, and Zidane will feel confident his team can repeat the trick if Hazard and Benzema are on song.

Leganes director general Martin Ortega has labelled Barcelona's transfer of Martin Braithwaite "unfair" and said it's "hugely damaging" for the relegation-threatened club.

The Catalans announced his capture on Thursday, using his mandatory €18 million buyout clause to add the Dane as an emergency injury replacement. Barcelona received permission to do so outside the transfer window because Ousmane Dembele suffered a long-term injury.

Leganes had no choice in the matter and can not sign a replacement of their own, something Ortega thought isn't right:

The move means Leganes have lost their two best attacking weapons in a little over a month, with Youssef En-Nesyri joining Sevilla in January. The chances of Los Pepineros surviving the relegation battle seem slim at best as a result.

Ben Hayward of the London Evening Standard thought it was deeply unfair on the La Liga minnows:

Spanish football expert Sid Lowe noted Leganes took aim at the rule itself and not the Blaugrana:

According to Ramon Fuentes of Sport, La Liga are already looking at amending the rule to exclude buyout clauses in the future.

Under the current rule, Spanish clubs can ask permission to sign an injury replacement outside the transfer window. Any target has to be a free agent or already registered in Spain. Because buyout clauses are mandatory in La Liga, there's no need to negotiate with clubs if the team is willing to pay the full amount.

That creates a major issue for La Liga's smaller clubs. Sports writer Samuel Marsden explained how players and agents have no incentive to agree to a big clause if their goal is to take a step up in the future:

Braithwaite's €18 million clause at Leganes hardly presented a problem for Barcelona, who promptly inserted a massive €300 million buyout clause into his new deal.

The Catalans parted with Abel Ruiz and Carles Perez in January without signing replacements, while an injury to Luis Suarez meant they were short on depth. Dembele then suffered a hamstring injury shortly after the transfer window closed, further reducing their attacking options.