Barcelona talking points: Ansu Fati leads the way, Lionel Messi closes in on 700 goals, Riqui Puig reappears

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Ben Hayward17 June 2020

Barcelona made it two wins from two with victory over Leganes at Camp Nou in LaLiga on Tuesday night.

After thrashing Mallorca 4-0 on Saturday in their first game back following the three-month coronavirus shutdown, the leaders dispatched the Madrid outfit in their second match in the space of four days.

Goals from Ansu Fati and Lionel Messi saw the Catalans prevail in a 2-0 win which was not entirely convincing, but nevertheless sufficient against the league's bottom team.

"We weren't able to score early and they closed the spaces," coach Quique Setien said. "We expected it to be a difficult game and that's how it turned out to be."

Ansu Fati leads the way

Teenager Ansu Fati provided the key breakthrough for Barcelona against Leganes
AP

Barcelona's first-half performance against Leganes was disappointing and up until Ansu Fati's goal three minutes before the interval, the game's best chances had fallen to the visitors.

Javier Eraso and Miguel Angel Guerrero (twice) wasted excellent opportunities in the early stages as Barca were struggling to break through Leganes' well-organised five-man back line.

It was going to take something special and Ansu provided it, hitting a first time shot through the legs of a defender and amid a crowd of bodies to make the breakthrough after 42 minutes.

"Ansu's goal was key," left-back Junior Firpo admitted. And midfielder Ivan Rakitic said: "What Ansu Fati is doing is impressive."

Setien, who revealed that the 17-year-old later came off due to a minor injury, was also grateful. "It was a good shot which turned the game in our favour in a moment which wasn't easy," he said.

Messi closes in on 700 career goals

Lionel Messi was on the scoresheet once again at Camp Nou
AP

Ahead of this match, Setien described Lionel Messi's numbers for Barcelona as 'astronomical' and the Argentine's second-half strike from the penalty spot saw him close in on yet another career milestone.

It was his 629th official goal for Barcelona and with 70 for Argentina, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner is now just one away from a 700th for club and country, which may well arrive against Sevilla on Friday.

There was some controversy surrounding this one as the Barca captain embarked on one of his trademark runs and stayed on his feet as Leganes tried to foul him outside the box, only to go down after what looked like minimal contact inside the area.

"It's not a penalty," Leganes assistant Toni Amor said afterwards and he was probably correct, but VAR only intervenes if there is an obvious error and therefore the decision stood.

Up next: number 700.

Griezmann is not unquestionable

Doubts remain over Antoine Griezmann's suitability at Barcelona
Getty Images

After his disappointing display away to Mallorca on Saturday, Antoine Griezmann was criticised by fans and media, but received the backing of his coach. "He is unquestionable," Setien said on Monday.

The 29-year-old was retained in the starting line-up for this match, but played only five passes and touched the ball just nine times in an anonymous opening 45 minutes.

Following a long conversation with Messi in the drinks break and a move back out to the left when Luis Suarez came on in the second half, he was unfortunate to see an effort ruled out as Nelson Semedo was marginally offside.

Again, the French forward worked hard off the ball and also defensively, but doubts remain over his contribution and also his suitability to this team's style. Unquestionable, he is certainly not.

Riqui Puig reappears in bright cameo

Riqui Puig had been a peripheral figure under Quique Setien to date
Getty Images

Young midfielder Riqui Puig cut a forlorn figure when he failed to make it off the bench in Barcelona's 4-0 win at Mallorca on Saturday night.

The 20-year-old had not featured since early on in Setien's reign, but returned as a substitute in this match as he replaced Arthur for the last 17 minutes of play, plus stoppage time.

Barca were already 2-0 up at that point and Puig buzzed around enthusiastically in midfield, making Leganes' players uncomfortable. He twice came close to scoring and also won a dangerous free-kick on the left.

"He did very well," Setien said. "He came on with a lot of energy and did an extraordinary job in 20 minutes." On this evidence, he deserves to feature more often.

Huge tests ahead in next five games

Third-placed Sevilla now lie in wait in a true test of Barcelona's credentials
REUTERS

After easing back into action with two games against sides in the bottom three and recording back-to-back victories, Barcelona now face far bigger tests to their title credentials.

Setien's side travel to third-placed Sevilla on Friday for their third game in the space of seven days and perhaps the toughest fixture they have left on the schedule.

After that, Barca are at home to Athletic Club, then away to Celta Vigo, before hosting Atletico Madrid and travelling to Villarreal – five games in the space of 16 days which will likely decide their fate in LaLiga.

"We wanted to get through these two matches to go to Seville with six points," Setien said. "The game at the Sanchez Pizjuan will be tough, but we're on the right track."

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