FC Barcelona

Antoine Griezmann has warned Barcelona's opponents that the Catalan giants are still not at their best after they beat Alaves 4-1 on Saturday.

The victory all-but assures Barca of top spot in La Liga heading into the winter break, unless Real Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao on Sunday by six goals.

Griezmann told Movistar (h/t Sport's David Rubio): "I am really happy heading into the winter break. I think we deserved them. We have made a good start to the season, but we've still not reached our ceiling and we can improve."

"We did not fear that they would equalise," he added. "Then [Lionel] Messi, the best player in the world, is there [to score the third]. We have a great squad. We all do our work and Messi is there to give a push when the team needs it."

The Frenchman broke the deadlock after 14 minutes on Saturday with a fine finish, before Arturo Vidal doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time.

Pere Pons pulled one back for Alaves in the second half with a bullet header, but Messi restored Barca's two-goal lead when he conjured a spectacular strike out of nothing.

Luis Suarez—who had assisted all three of the Blaugrana's goals—dispatched a penalty to round out the scoring:

Messi's strike capped off another incredible year for him:

10 years. 579 goals. 50+ goals in 9 out of 10 calendar years.

Leo Messi's decade is done 🌟 pic.twitter.com/BhoyudqEAA

— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 21, 2019

The Argentinian's performances are to be expected, but Barca will be encouraged by the form of summer signing Griezmann.

Having splashed out €120 million to recruit him from Atletico Madrid in the summer, they'll likely have been hoping for more than eight goals and four assists in the 23 appearances he has made for them so far.

It has taken him time to adapt to his new surroundings, but he has gone into the winter break on the back of some strong form. The forward has three goals in his last four La Liga matches, all to open the scoring.

The Spanish Football Podcast observed his improvement:

Griezmann has been very good so far. He's getting there...

— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) December 21, 2019

Barca have scored 47 goals in 18 La Liga matches this season—14 more than nearest rivals Real Madrid—despite Griezmann's adaptation and Messi missing five games through injury. If Griezmann can hit top form in the second half of the campaign, they'll be even more potent in front of goal.

There's plenty of room for improvement at the back, too. Barca have kept five clean sheets in La Liga, but in the 13 matches in which they've conceded, they've shipped 21 goals. Given their firepower at the other end, they'll be a force to be reckoned with if they can become more adept at keeping their opponents out.

Lionel Messi scored his 50th goal of the year on Saturday to help Barcelona beat Alaves 4-1 at the Camp Nou in their final La Liga match of 2019:

Fifty. Goals. In. A. Year.

For most, that’s impossible. For Messi, it’s the ninth time. 🔥 @brfootball pic.twitter.com/AkQlAgxXIM

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 21, 2019

Antoine Griezmann curled home the opening goal of the contest on 14 minutes with a low shot from just inside the penalty area after good work from Arturo Vidal and Luis Suarez.

Barcelona doubled their lead a minute before half-time through Vidal. Suarez teed up the Chile international to thump a powerful effort across goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco and into the far corner.

Pere Pons headed Alaves back into the match from a Ruben Duarte cross 10 minutes after half-time, and the visitors threatened an equaliser until Messi curled home a brilliant third from the edge of the box.

Suarez added a fourth from the penalty spot following a handball by Martin Aguirregabiria to keep the champions top of the table.

Manager Ernesto Valverde made changes to his starting XI after Barcelona's draw with Real Madrid on Wednesday. Samuel Umtiti replaced Clement Lenglet in central defence, while Vidal, Sergio Busquets and Carles Alena all came into the midfield.

The visitors also made changes after their surprise Copa del Rey defeat to fourth-tier side Real Jaen, bringing in Mubarak Wakaso and Javier Munoz for Oliver Burke and Joselu.

The hosts began the game brightly and had the ball in the back of the net after 10 minutes. Messi latched on to a ball over the top from Busquets and slotted home but saw his effort ruled out for offside.

Barcelona did not have to wait too much longer to break the deadlock. Vidal and Suarez combined down the right to pick out Griezmann just inside the penalty area, and he curled a low shot past Pacheco and into the far corner:

That's goal number 7⃣ for @AntoGriezmann this season in #LaLigaSantander! #BarçaAlaves pic.twitter.com/XJQIYHnRGs

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) December 21, 2019

The hosts should have had a second on 39 minutes. Griezmann and Messi combined brilliantly on a quick counter-attack from an Alaves corner, only for the Barcelona captain's shot to roll agonisingly wide of the far post with Pacheco beaten.

Yet Barcelona did manage to double their lead before half-time. Messi and Suarez teed up Vidal inside the penalty area to smash a powerful effort across goal and into the net:

5 - Arturo Vidal’s five shots on target for @FCBarcelona in@LaLigaEN this season:

⚽
⚽
⚽
⚽
⚽

King. pic.twitter.com/cdzSXYU29c

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 21, 2019

The champions had another goal ruled out early in the second half. Messi dinked a ball in for Griezmann to tap home, but the France international had just strayed offside and was rightly flagged.

Alaves got back into the game on 56 minutes when Pons pulled one back. Duarte whipped in an excellent cross from the left and found an unmarked Pons arriving in the box to head past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Barcelona then needed Ter Stegen to make a block outside his box and Pique to deny Aleix Vidal in the penalty area as Alaves came right back at the champions.

However, Messi ended the match as a contest with his 13th La Liga goal of the season. Suarez picked up his third assist of the match, teeing up the captain to slam home a shot from the edge of the penalty area:

2010: 60
2011: 59
2012: 91
2013: 45
2014: 58
2015: 52
2016: 59
2017: 54
2018: 51
2019: 50

Lionel Messi has scored 50+ goals for club & country in nine of the last ten years. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/xxlQGSzwNV

— Squawka (@Squawka) December 21, 2019

Suarez got on the scoresheet minutes later when Aguirregabiria was penalised for blocking a header from the Uruguayan with his arm, and the striker made no mistake from the spot to complete a comfortable win.

    

What's Next?

Barcelona return to La Liga action with a Catalan derby against Espanyol on Saturday, 4 January. Alaves play a day later at home to Real Betis.

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde doesn't expect his squad to change during the January transfer window, amid rumours regarding Arturo Vidal and Jean-Clair Todibo. 

Per Goal's Liam Blackburn, both have been linked with a mid-season exit, but Valverde doesn't think it will happen: "I'm really happy with the players I've got. I don't expect any modifications."

Per Sport, Manchester United have joined the queue of clubs interested in Todibo, a list that also includes Bayer Leverkusen, AC Milan, Everton and Southampton:

Man United join list of Todibo suitors https://t.co/D2bIemcjax

— SPORT English (@Sport_EN) December 20, 2019

Speculation regarding Vidal went into overdrive after he failed to make the starting XI for the Clasico match against Real Madrid, something he reportedly did not take well:

Arturo Vidal stormed out of Barcelona training on Tuesday after learning he would not start against Real Madrid, sources have told ESPN.

Several players tried to comfort Vidal, but he could not be calmed down. pic.twitter.com/088khmqwMM

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 18, 2019

Todibo, in particular, seemed likely to be on the move in January. The 19-year-old has barely seen the pitch this season, flashing his tremendous talent in the Champions League win over Inter Milan and appearing in two more La Liga matches.

He's a tremendous prospect stuck behind Clement Lenglet and Gerard Pique in the pecking order, and he needs playing time to develop. A loan move or a transfer with a buyback clause could be a solution, but that would leave the Catalans short on depth at the centre-back position.

Vidal has played a bigger role this season, but the bulk of his appearances have come off the bench. He's made three starts in La Liga so far, as well as two in the Champions League, and was another standout against Inter.

Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets and Arthur have been the preferred midfield starters when healthy, and Ivan Rakitic has also seen more playing time than the Chilean. Vidal appears more expendable than Todibo, with youngsters Carles Alena and Riqui Puig adding depth to the squad.

Valverde also touched on the 0-0 draw against Real and subsequent controversy, which saw Los Blancos complain of injustice in the officiating. The coach opted not to get involved:

"People will always be talking after Clasicos; this was one where we had a two-month build up to it and the post-Clasico debates will always be intense.

"Some people play football on the pitch, some are in the press room, we've all got to eat! That's what our jobs are.

"I really don't like getting involved in these discussions, there's nothing to be gained. Controversies are always going to be part of football."

Per Goal's Matt Dorman, Real released an official statement after the match, complaining about being denied two penalties. Barcelona also expressed their frustration with the VAR after the 2-2 draw against Real Sociedad.

Barcelona continue their quest to retain the La Liga title on Saturday when they welcome Alaves to the Camp Nou.

Barca and Real Madrid could not be separated during a goalless draw on Wednesday, and Spain's two biggest clubs remain locked at the top of the table. The Blaugrana marginally lead the division on goal difference.

Alaves are sat in 14th place and suffered a humiliating 3-1 Copa del Rey exit at the hands of Real Jaen on Tuesday. The Basque team have won just twice in their last eight in La Liga.

            

Date: Saturday, Dec. 21

Time: 4 p.m. local, 3 p.m. GMT, 10 a.m ET

TV: BeIN Sports (USA)

Stream: Premier Player, LaLigaTV, beIN Connect

Odds: Barca: 7-50, Alaves: 16-1, draw: 15-2 (via Caesars)

               

Preview

Ernesto Valverde's team will attempt to temporarily pull away at the top of La Liga before Madrid entertain Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

El Clasico was goalless for the first time in 17 years, but Madrid had opportunities to claim the points, with VAR denying Gareth Bale a winner.

Valverde expressed his frustrations after a tense encounter, per Marca (h/t Football Espana):

"It was a game that was filled with disputed battles, with both teams having good periods during the match.

"There has been a lot of tension and cards, but that is a classic situation in El Clasico.

"We end the year level with Real Madrid (only top by goal difference), and that is frustrating.

"Of course we wanted to win, but against a strong opponent, that is not always possible, and it is complicated."

The visit of an Alaves team in decline should give the champions a chance to find the back of the net and increase their lead before the winter break. 

Barca have drawn their last two La Liga encounters and need a victory to regain momentum.

The Camp Nou giants have been ruthless in their last six games against Alaves in all competitions, scoring 18 goals and only conceding twice during a perfect run of victories.

Alaves have been inconsistent this season, only winning back-to-back games just once. After opening La Liga unbeaten in their first three games, they lost five of the next seven, and a relegation battle might be around the corner.

Asier Garitano took charge of the club in May, but the former Leganes and Real Sociedad manager has so far failed to improve performances.

Alaves finished 11th last term and a repeat of that would be welcome, but the team are struggling to move through the gears.

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde believes his side will have a "small advantage" over Real Madrid in Wednesday's Clasico as they have had one day longer to prepare.

The Catalan side last played on Saturday afternoon, when they drew 2-2 with Real Sociedad at the Anoeta Stadium.

Real, meanwhile, did not play their Week 17 La Liga fixture until Sunday evening, and they could only draw 1-1 with Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium.

The first Clasico of the season was set to take place in October, but it had to be rescheduled:

OFFICIAL: Next week's Barcelona vs. Real Madrid Clasico has been postponed—the clubs have until 21 October to agree a new date pic.twitter.com/hGpbMLJYGl

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 18, 2019

Originally: 26 October
Now: 18 December

Why the delay is the best thing that could have happened to El Clasico ⚔️ #BRFootballRanks

— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 17, 2019

Valverde believes the new date has given his side a slight advantage, which is only likely to be enhanced given the match is at the Camp Nou, per Marca's A. Segura: 

"Having a day extra can have an influence, yes. It's a small advantage. The way the match was originally scheduled, it was us who were supposed to have a day less. Both teams know how to prepare in these situations and motivation is at its highest. Last year we played on a Wednesday and then a Saturday and the response was very good."

Barcelona have had a distinct edge recently in matches against their biggest rivals.

Last season they played four times against Real, winning three and drawing the other.

Los Blancos and the Blaugrana are level on points at the top of La Liga, as they have been since early last month:

So where's your team on the #LaLigaSantander table after Matchday 17? 🏆👀 pic.twitter.com/pjtdsnFYfh

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) December 15, 2019

As such, there is a huge amount riding on Wednesday's clash because a win could mean taking a three-point lead at the top of the table into the winter break.

However, while matches between Real and Barca are invariably entertaining occasions, the situation at the top of the league means there is the potential for a cagey affair given a point would not be a blow for either side. 

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has said he is "really excited" for his first El Clasico ahead of Wednesday's clash against Real Madrid.

De Jong, 22, played a key role for Ajax last season as they dismantled Real in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

The Dutch side subsequently reached the semi-finals of Europe's top-tier competition, and they won a league and cup double in the Netherlands in one of their best campaigns of the 21st century.

In the summer, though, Ajax lost a number of their key players, including De Jong, who signed for Barca for £65 million.

His first appearance in a Clasico had been delayed after October's postponement:

OFFICIAL: Next week's Barcelona vs. Real Madrid Clasico has been postponed—the clubs have until 21 October to agree a new date pic.twitter.com/hGpbMLJYGl

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 18, 2019

But De Jong said ahead of the Camp Nou clash he is raring to go, per Barcelona's official website (h/t Sport):

"Last year's match with Ajax was very special, but now it's another game and I'm on another team, so it will be different. I'm really excited, as it will be my first Clasico, and I hope we win. I've followed all the others on television, and the one I enjoyed the most was the 5-0 at the Camp Nou [in 2010].

"It's the same on the day—playing against Real Madrid is always special. Also, my family will come to see me, and they'll surely experience a spectacular atmosphere."

Barca and Real met on four occasions last season, with the Catalan outfit winning three and the other ending in a 1-1 draw.

The two Spanish giants have been largely inseparable in terms of form recently, though, remaining tied on points at the head of the table since early last month:

So where's your team on the #LaLigaSantander table after Matchday 17? 🏆👀 pic.twitter.com/pjtdsnFYfh

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) December 15, 2019

Barca dropped their first points in five matches in La Liga on Saturday when they drew 2-2 with Real Sociedad, presenting an opportunity for Real to open up a gap at the top of the table.

But they needed a stoppage-time equaliser form Karim Benzema on Sunday to draw 1-1 at Valencia:

Epic late drama at Mestalla as it ends all square between @valenciacf_en and @realmadriden! ✨🤝

💥 @Carlos10Soler
💥 @Benzema#ValenciaRealMadrid 1-1 pic.twitter.com/sM264cdODq

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) December 15, 2019

If either side can get a win in Wednesday's Clasico, they will take a key advantage in the title race with just a game remaining before the winter break.

Lionel Messi has praised Eden Hazard ahead of Wednesday's El Clasico showdown between Barcelona and Real Madrid. 

Real signed Hazard from Chelsea in the summer, a year on from Cristiano Ronaldo's departure to Juventus.

Asked if Hazard can replace the Portugal superstar, Messi told Marca's Luis F. Rojo: "Hazard has a lot of quality. He is a different football player who can unbalance [defences], but I think he is different to Cristiano, with different characteristics. It is very difficult to replace Cristiano, but Hazard is also a great player."

The Belgian is set to miss his first Clasico after he suffered a microfracture to his ankle in Real's 2-2 UEFA Champions League draw with Paris Saint-Germain on November 26.

Hazard has scored just once for Los Blancos, as well as contributing four assists in his 13 appearances, but his performances prior to his injury had been improving, so his absence will be a blow to Real Madrid.

Barcelona have won eight and lost just three of their 14 meetings with Real in all competitions since the start of 2015. However, they've only won one of Real's last six visits to the Camp Nou, where they'll play on Wednesday.

Messi was also asked why Barca tend to fare better against them in the Spanish capital than at home:

"When we play at the Bernabeu, many more spaces are generated. They attack us more because they have the obligation as the host team and people push them for that.

"At the Camp Nou they play another type of match, sitting a little further back, they are closer together and hit on the counter-attack because they have very fast players upfront."

The Argentinian added that at the Camp Nou matches are more "locked" and "complicated."

Messi has an impressive record against Madrid, having notched 26 goals and 14 assists in 39 appearances against them.

He hasn't been as strong against them of late, however:

Messi has failed to score or assist in his last three games against Real Madrid in all competitions ❌❌❌

He has never gone four consecutive appearances without scoring or assisting against Los Blancos ⚽

Certainty 🔒 pic.twitter.com/RT44lbB6ie

— GOAL (@goal) December 17, 2019

The 32-year-old had a quiet game in Barcelona's last match, their 2-2 draw with Real Sociedad, aside from an assist for Luis Suarez.

Squawka's Muhammad Butt observed their struggles when he's not at his best:

it's stark how ordinary Barcelona can look when Messi doesn't produce magic. Valverde... man. https://t.co/wRbAB9kydg

— Muhammad Butt (@muhammadbutt) December 14, 2019

He has had an excellent season, though, with 14 goals and nine assists in 16 games in all competitions.

Messi plundered a fine hat-trick against Real Mallorca on December 7:

If he's on that kind of form, Real stand little chance of coming away with a win on Wednesday.

Suarez has been in productive form, too, having offered up four goals and five assists in his last six outings. Antoine Griezmann has three goals and an assist in his last five games, which is an improvement on his form prior to November's international break.

Barcelona collected a point after a 2-2 draw at Real Sociedad on Saturday in La Liga.

A 12th-minute penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal gave the hosts the lead after Sergio Busquets fouled Diego Llorente, but Antoine Griezmann levelled for Barca seven minutes before half-time.

Luis Suarez gave the Blaugrana a 2-1 advantage just four minutes after the restart, with Lionel Messi creating the assist.

Alexander Isak's 62nd-minute strike gave La Real a deserved equaliser, and a share of the points was a fair result.

The hosts were quickly into their stride during the opening stages, and they were rewarded early in the match. Llorente drew a foul from Busquets in the penalty box, giving the Basque team the opportunity to lead.

Oyarzabal was calm as he stepped up to the spot, and the Spain international sent Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen the wrong way, slotting his effort into the opposite corner.

Sociedad were forced to defend immediately after as the champions quickly hunted an equaliser.

La Real 'keeper Alex Remiro denied Suarez when the Uruguayan combined with Griezmann after 15 minutes. The Catalans were in the ascendancy, but Sociedad remained dangerous, retaining possession and looking for a second.

However, it was Griezmann who once again combined with Suarez, and the French superstar lifted the ball over Remiro after a counter-attack. Barca would have been satisfied being level at half-time, and they quickly took the lead at the start of the second half.

Busquets' pass freed Messi as he attacked, and the icon laid the ball off to Suarez for a simple finish. Barca then searched for a third to kill off the game, but to Sociedad's credit, they never looked beaten.

Adnan Januzaj came off the bench for the home side to add flair to the attack, and the former Manchester United winger provided a fresh dimension.

The Basques earned their equaliser shortly after the hour mark. Nacho Monreal was found by Oyarzabal's pass, and the full-back's cross was deflected by Ter Stegen into Isak's path for a tap-in.

Januzaj continued to cause issues until the final whistle, but it was Barca's Ivan Rakitic who nearly stole the points for the leaders with a long-range shot. Overall, Barca had less possession than their opponents, and Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil would have been pleased with how his side stifled the Blaugrana's typical passing game.

                

What's Next

Barca take on Real Madrid in El Clasico on Wednesday at the Camp Nou, with the Spanish giants battling for supremacy in La Liga. Sociedad are back in league action on Dec. 22 when they visit Osasuna.

Ronaldinho has said he cannot name former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi as the best player of all time.

The Brazilian is in no doubt that Messi is the world's best player, but he isn't fond of comparing players across generations.

Per AS (h/t Goal's Robin Bairner), he said: "I can't say that Messi is the best ever, but he is the best in his time. I don't like comparisons because it's hard to identify who the best in history is. There's Diego Maradona, Pele, Ronaldo."

Ronaldinho spent five seasons at Barcelona between 2003 and 2008. He witnessed firsthand Messi's rise from the club's academy to a key player in the first team after the Argentinian made his senior debut in 2004.

There may never be true consensus as to who is the best player in history, but Messi already has an incredible case to put forward, and he's only 32.

In 702 appearances for Barcelona, he has scored 617 goals and contributed 250 assists, while for Argentina he has 70 goals and 45 assists in 138 appearances.

Many of his goalscoring feats are second to none:

On this day in 2012, Leo #Messi scored his record-breaking 85th goal of the calendar year.

He finished the year with 91 🤯 pic.twitter.com/fRE3KtpNbt

— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 9, 2019

Earlier in December, he notched a record 35th hat-trick in La Liga:

📽️ The highlights you've been waiting for...

Messi scored a hat-trick and @LuisSuarez9 a ridiculous backheel (0:57) in a memorable @FCBarcelona win! 💙❤️#BarçaRCDMallorca pic.twitter.com/CH7mH5lVuj

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) December 7, 2019

His efforts have seen him win football's most prestigious individual prize, the Ballon d'Or, a record number of times:

2009. 2010. 2011. 2012. 2015. 2019.

Six 🐐 pic.twitter.com/s8X4GzZ3hJ

— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 2, 2019

The amount of silverware he has collected with Barcelona over the years is almost unrivalled as well. The forward has won 34 honours with the Catalan club, including 10 La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions Leagues and six Copas del Rey.

With Argentina, his sole success is a gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games. His efforts have helped La Albiceleste reach the 2014 FIFA World Cup final and three Copa America finals, but they haven't been able to triumph.

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has said the team must "start from scratch" and forget their disappointments in recent UEFA Champions League campaigns if they are to improve this season. 

The Blaugrana are through to the competition's knockout stages for the 19th season in a row, having secured a first-placed finish in Group F with one game to spare:

🌟 The last 16 of the Champions League is set 🌟 https://t.co/uR11kAPleI

— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 11, 2019

Messi, 32, was speaking at an Adidas event when he said (h/t Goal's Tom Webber):

"To be honest, it's always there. But we have to start from scratch. It's a new year, a new competition. Obviously we have to learn from mistakes, but to think of the present and the future. We must forget what happened last year and the year before, it would be a mistake to think of that."

Manager Ernesto Valverde hopes to make up for upsets against Liverpool and AS Roma in recent European campaigns, when Barca were eliminated after losing three-goal cushions.

The Catalan giants beat quarter-finalists Roma 4-1 at home in April 2018 but were dumped out via away goals after they lost 3-0 in Rome. Barcelona fell to another comeback last season when they hammered Liverpool 3-0 before the eventual champions beat Messi and Co. 4-0 at Anfield to progress to the final.

Valverde looks to have learned some lessons since then and changed almost his entire starting XI on Tuesday, when Barca defeated Inter Milan 2-1 at the San Siro to knock out the Nerazzurri (UK viewers only):

Carles Perez scored their first in Italy before Ansu Fati, 17, became the youngest player to score in the Champions League following his late winner off the bench (U.S. viewers only):

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1204518994729951232

Valverde has encountered scrutiny for failing to properly rotate his team between competitions, but Tuesday's result was a positive test of his squad's strength in depth.

Romelu Lukaku gave Inter a lifeline in their hopes of reaching this season's last 16, but Antonio Conte couldn't prevent his side finishing third in the group and dropping into the UEFA Europa League (U.S. only):

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1204504494014390274

BBC Sport's Andy West recommended Barcelona do away with their three-man defensive structure despite the win over Inter:

Judging by the first ten minutes, Valverde's three-man backline experiment won't be repeated. Not exactly looking secure

— Andy West (@andywest01) December 10, 2019

Valverde's side are level on points with Real Madrid at the top of La Liga and are well placed to defend their domestic crown, but Barcelona haven't reached a European final since he took charge in 2017. Their most recent appearance in a Champions League decider was when they won the tournament in 2015.

The club might have won Europe's premier club competition twice under Valverde were it not for two shock losses, but Messi isn't dwelling on that as he hopes to turn the page and get Barcelona out of their Champions League rut this term.