Led by reborn Messi, Barca goal for 3 wins in a row

Barcelona confirmed their true potential in an impressive 3-2 midweek win over Athletic Bilbao however now face the exhausting process of following it up after they go to Granada on Saturday trying to find an elusive third consecutive La Liga victory.With Lionel Messi again to his finest and linking beautifully with teenage sensation Pedri, the Catalans had been at instances unplayable and recorded their most important away victory of the season within the league with their first win in Bilbao in 4 video games.Messi was on the coronary heart of their play and, throughout a season through which he has usually appeared out of contact along with his group mates, every part appeared to lastly click on.Pedri, 18, was his most dependable accomplice, serving up Messi’s first objective of the night with an outrageous backheel into his path and exhibiting a degree of understanding with him not seen since Andres Iniesta’s departure in 2018.Messi displayed his appreciation by embracing Pedri and the delighted look on the Argentine’s face conveyed his pleasure at discovering an attacking participant he thrives with after failing to dovetail with Antoine Griezmann and Philippe Coutinho.Barca’s captain mentioned not too long ago he had dragged the ill-feeling from his bid to depart the membership final summer season into this marketing campaign, including that he had struggled to establish with what has grow to be a younger and inexperienced group after so many new arrivals. Yet Messi additionally mentioned he may see the brand new aspect was slowly starting to kind and was able to nice issues. Wednesday’s exhibition in Bilbao was proof of their progress.The win was removed from the one prime efficiency Barca have produced underneath supervisor Ronald Koeman however they’ve struggled for consistency and are nonetheless missing a run of consecutive victories wanted to stage a title problem.Granada, who’re seventh within the standings, is not going to be straightforward opponents. They have the fifth-best dwelling report within the league, profitable 5 of eight dwelling video games whereas dropping as soon as.Barca are third in La Liga, 5 factors behind second-placed Real Madrid and 7 adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid, who’ve two video games in hand on each side.Atletico, who suffered an embarrassing midweek Copa del Rey defeat at third division Cornella, host ninth-placed Bilbao on Saturday when champions Real go to second-bottom Osasuna after having fun with a uncommon seven days’ relaxation since their final match.