Barca Blaugranes - Barcelona vs Espanyol, 2016 La Liga: All Updates#GraciesTitohttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47187/barca-fave.png2016-05-09T07:00:03+02:00http://www.barcablaugranes.com/rss/stream/113780432016-05-09T07:00:03+02:002016-05-09T07:00:03+02:00Barça 5-0 Espanyol: 3 Things We Learned
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nRQM0psRyJv1UgA2JJR2oRKdZL4=/0x0:2992x1995/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49546963/GettyImages-529161058.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Alex Caparros/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Barcelona is only three points away from celebrating another <i>La Liga</i> title after a sensational 5-0 victory against Espanyol on Sunday, with the <i>Blaugrana</i> only needing one win against Granada next week to successfully defend their league championship. Here's a few takeaways from Sunday's amazing Camp Nou performance:</p>
<h4>1. Barça's response to the crisis is truly remarkable</h4>
<p style="text-align: justify;">When the Champions League ended against Atlético Madrid a few weeks ago, many began to compare this season to the terrible ending of the Tata Martino Era, when Barça imploded after losing to the same Atleti in the Champions League and lost all trophies in ugly fashion. This is not a Tata Martino repeat, though. Luis Enrique's side bounced back spectacularly. Just consider the last four games, with four straight victories and a combined score of 21-0. The defense, so criticized during the slump, has now consecutive clean sheets.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The 'MSN' trio, absent during those bad times in April, is once again firing on all cylinders, and the weak bench is now full of players giving strong contributions whenever they get chances. This team is obviously better than the Tata Martino team, but that one was good enough to rebound from that crisis. And they didn't. This one did, and might finish the season with a double. Yeah, good response.</p>
<h4>2. Luis Suárez's Pichichi run is incredible</h4>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Three weeks ago, the Uruguayan trailed Cristiano Ronaldo by four goals, and the Portuguese was once again running away with the scoring title. Four games later, Suárez has scored eleven times (ELEVEN!!!!) and has a four-goal lead of his own above Ronaldo. The Uruguayan has been the best player in the Spanish League in the last three weeks, and is perhaps the main reason for Barça's rebound. Ronaldo might score a lot against Deportivo next week, but Suárez is the clear favorite to be the <i>Pichichi</i>.</p>
<h4>3. La Liga is still not over</h4>
<p style="text-align: justify;">I said week after week in this very column that Barça were already champions before the crisis started. I learned from that, and I'm not arrogant anymore. Yes, the <i>Blaugrana</i> are in fantastic position next week. They'll face Granada, one of the worst teams in the league, and the opponents have absolutely nothing to play for. They're safe from relegation, and will not play as hard as they would if their season was on the line. But we still need to win because Madrid will probably destroy Depor, so I won't celebrate until the final whistle goes and the title is a certainty. It might sound cliché to say <i>Hay Liga</i>, but this season has already proven the race is always open.</p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2016/5/9/11635540/barcelona-espanyol-2016-la-liga-3-things-learnedRenato Gonçalves2016-05-08T22:00:03+02:002016-05-08T22:00:03+02:00Barça 5-0 Espanyol: Review
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8NEm9nt_qhNaMQwY7P1nVgYaIA8=/0x0:4318x2879/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49546685/GettyImages-529182260.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Alex Caparros/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Barcelona are three points away from lifting a second straight league trophy after a comprehensive annihilation of Espanyol in the Catalan Derby, a 5-0 destruction without any problems. Thanks to a crazy slip-up by Atlético Madrid who are out of the title race, the <i>Blaugrana </i>are point ahead of Real Madrid and need a simple win next week on the road against Granada to win <i>La Liga</i>. If they repeat Sunday's performance, Barça are certainly in good position.</p>
<table border="0" style="text-align: justify;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
<td>Espanyol</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Possession</td>
<td>67%<span> </span>
</td>
<td>33%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Total Shots</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shots on Target</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Corners</td>
<td>8<span> </span>
</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fouls</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Offsides</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Yellow Cards</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Red Cards</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Luis Enrique did not make any surprise changes to the lineup. The only necessary alteration was Marc-André ter Stegen in place of the injured Claudio Bravo, and that's what happened. <i>Gala XI</i> on the pitch ready to keep possession and dominate the opposition looking to break the bus parked by <i>Los Periquitos</i>.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">It didn't take long for Espanyol to get physical, as Hernán Pérez made a hard, dangerous challenge that caught Javier Mascherano in the knee, but the referee let that go. Jesús Gil Manzano let plenty of things go, yet managed to book Lionel Messi for a soft foul. Messi was not affected by that, and he didn't take long to unlock Espanyol's defense and give Barça the lead. Seven minutes in, he took a simply spectacular free-kick and put it over the wall into the top corner, away from keeper Pau López for the opener.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Just two minutes later, Messi was involved again and assisted Ivan Rakitic for the second goal, but the score was disallowed as the Croatian seemed to be offside at first glance. Even with the lead, Barça never stopped attacking, but constantly ran into a wall from the visitors, who were not ashamed to foul the <i>Blaugrana</i> players whenever they conceded some space. Messi and Neymar had more chances on close free-kicks, but couldn't find the net.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">But the Blaugranes continued to dominate the action and look to create more chances, but the Espanyol defense was able to keep the score at 1-0 at halftime. But with such a good performance, it was only a matter of time before Barça scored more.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The second half started with the visitors trying to go forward a little bit through long balls into the box trying to force the <i>Blaugrana </i>defense into mistakes. But the back four was solid throughout the match, and Marc-André ter Stegen never had any problems. Going forward, Barça were more incisive with the passing, and whenever they lost the ball, they would quickly press high up the pitch to recover as close to the box as possible. It happened when Dani Alves got a steal and the ball bounced in front of Messi, who did not waste any time to find Suárez onside and alone in front of the keeper. The top scorer in the league netted his 36th of the season and easily increased Barça's lead.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">With a comfortable 2-0 lead, one would think the team was going to play it safe to maintain the lead with the table in mind, but the <i>Blaugrana</i> were determined to say goodbye to Camp Nou this season with a great performance and a blowout victory. They continued to go forward, and in a perfectly taken corner-kick, Neymar found Suárez again with space inside the box, the <i>El Pistolero</i> didn't even need to jump before delivering a well-placed header away from Pau López and score his 37th goal of the campaign.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The game was over, and Enrique used the opportunity to put his bench to work. Jérémy Mathieu returned from injury in place of Jordi Alba, while Arda Turan and Rafinha Alcântara replaced Iniesta and Rakitic in the middle. And it was Rafinha who joined the scoring party from the bench. Neymar combined well with Arda and attempted an errant pass into the box. Big-talking keeper Pau López, who wanted to give the league title to a Madrid team on Sunday, actually gave a goal to Barça with a laughable mishandle of Neymar's cross; the ball fell into the right foot of Rafinha, who netted his first goal since returning from a seven-month injury absence and scored Barça's fourth.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Messi and Suárez were on the board, but Neymar wasn't. So the first two took care of business, combining with Alves to create a beautiful play on the right side, before Suárez delivered a perfect cross to a wide-open Neymar, who easily scored and made Sunday a 'MSN' party.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Valencia came incredibly close to drawing with Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabéu, but <i>Los Blancos</i> survived and are the only team capable of beating Barça. Real travel to La Coruña, while the Catalan giants visit Granada. But Barça do not need to worry about Madrid. Win your match, and lift the trophy next Saturday.</p>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<thead>
<tr>
<th colspan="2">Roll Call Info</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="150">Total comments</td>
<td>494</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>Total commenters</td>
<td>47</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Commenter list</td>
<td>
<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Abhiforbarca">Abhiforbarca</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Anders%20Thomassen">Anders Thomassen</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Anirudh_Kul">Anirudh_Kul</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/AraibKarim">AraibKarim</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Artemis11">Artemis11</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Ashraf%20Arefin">Ashraf Arefin</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/AzBlaug">AzBlaug</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BDBarca">BDBarca</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Barca4lif">Barca4lif</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Bithal">Bithal</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/CptAssHurt">CptAssHurt</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Daxterflames">Daxterflames</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Delano%20Heerkens">Delano Heerkens</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/FZBoy">FZBoy</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JogoBonito">JogoBonito</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MMcCoy11_FCB">MMcCoy11_FCB</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MayteeA">MayteeA</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Munir4b'dor">Munir4b'dor</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NamesTroyResideInTheDMV">NamesTroyResideInTheDMV</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/PG9">PG9</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Piyush1">Piyush1</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Prcho">Prcho</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SOCCERMYFAV123">SOCCERMYFAV123</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SafaaLeon62">SafaaLeon62</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ShantanuC">ShantanuC</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Steven%20Cordero">Steven Cordero</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Tokjee">Tokjee</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ZTAhmad">ZTAhmad</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/alimomoney">alimomoney</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/asherdgreat1">asherdgreat1</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/barcenal">barcenal</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/chrisolin65">chrisolin65</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/craig00000">craig00000</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/darthvader17">darthvader17</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/el_uruguayo">el_uruguayo</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/footballfordoze">footballfordoze</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/impossibletriangles">impossibletriangles</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/istiaque">istiaque</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/magnithor">magnithor</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/messism">messism</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/mickael2">mickael2</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/mightyobie">mightyobie</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/navjot4664">navjot4664</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/smatiisc">smatiisc</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/somunequip">somunequip</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/syredeathtrooper">syredeathtrooper</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/viralvariance">viralvariance</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>Story URLs</td>
<td>
<div><a href="http://www.barcablaugranes.com/2016/5/8/11634610/barcelona-espanyol-2016-la-liga-confirmed-lineups">http://www.barcablaugranes.com/2016/5/8/11634610/barcelona-espanyol-2016-la-liga-confirmed-lineups</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<thead>
<tr>
<th width="20">#</th>
<th>Commenter</th>
<th># Comments</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BDBarca">BDBarca</a></td>
<td>80</td>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Artemis11">Artemis11</a></td>
<td>58</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/syredeathtrooper">syredeathtrooper</a></td>
<td>46</td>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Delano%20Heerkens">Delano Heerkens</a></td>
<td>42</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/mightyobie">mightyobie</a></td>
<td>35</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>6</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/chrisolin65">chrisolin65</a></td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ShantanuC">ShantanuC</a></td>
<td>24</td>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>8</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Munir4b'dor">Munir4b'dor</a></td>
<td>16</td>
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<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/AzBlaug">AzBlaug</a></td>
<td>15</td>
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<td>10</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NamesTroyResideInTheDMV">NamesTroyResideInTheDMV</a></td>
<td>13</td>
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<td>11</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/PG9">PG9</a></td>
<td>12</td>
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<td>12</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/footballfordoze">footballfordoze</a></td>
<td>12</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/AraibKarim">AraibKarim</a></td>
<td>10</td>
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<td>14</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Ashraf%20Arefin">Ashraf Arefin</a></td>
<td>9</td>
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<td>15</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/FZBoy">FZBoy</a></td>
<td>9</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/navjot4664">navjot4664</a></td>
<td>8</td>
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<td>17</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MMcCoy11_FCB">MMcCoy11_FCB</a></td>
<td>8</td>
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<td>18</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/somunequip">somunequip</a></td>
<td>6</td>
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<td>19</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Barca4lif">Barca4lif</a></td>
<td>6</td>
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<td>20</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Tokjee">Tokjee</a></td>
<td>4</td>
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<tr>
<td>21</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Anders%20Thomassen">Anders Thomassen</a></td>
<td>4</td>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>22</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ZTAhmad">ZTAhmad</a></td>
<td>4</td>
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<td>23</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/CptAssHurt">CptAssHurt</a></td>
<td>3</td>
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<td>24</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Bithal">Bithal</a></td>
<td>3</td>
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<td>25</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/mickael2">mickael2</a></td>
<td>3</td>
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<td>26</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/smatiisc">smatiisc</a></td>
<td>3</td>
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<tr>
<td>27</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/el_uruguayo">el_uruguayo</a></td>
<td>3</td>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>28</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Anirudh_Kul">Anirudh_Kul</a></td>
<td>3</td>
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<td>29</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/viralvariance">viralvariance</a></td>
<td>2</td>
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<td>30</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Daxterflames">Daxterflames</a></td>
<td>2</td>
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<tr>
<td>31</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/magnithor">magnithor</a></td>
<td>2</td>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>32</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Prcho">Prcho</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>33</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MayteeA">MayteeA</a></td>
<td>2</td>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>34</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Steven%20Cordero">Steven Cordero</a></td>
<td>2</td>
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<tr>
<td>35</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SafaaLeon62">SafaaLeon62</a></td>
<td>1</td>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>36</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/impossibletriangles">impossibletriangles</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>37</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/messism">messism</a></td>
<td>1</td>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>38</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Abhiforbarca">Abhiforbarca</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>39</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JogoBonito">JogoBonito</a></td>
<td>1</td>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>40</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/darthvader17">darthvader17</a></td>
<td>1</td>
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<tr>
<td>41</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Piyush1">Piyush1</a></td>
<td>1</td>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>42</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/alimomoney">alimomoney</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>43</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/istiaque">istiaque</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>44</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/asherdgreat1">asherdgreat1</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>45</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/craig00000">craig00000</a></td>
<td>1</td>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>46</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SOCCERMYFAV123">SOCCERMYFAV123</a></td>
<td>1</td>
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<tr>
<td>47</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/barcenal">barcenal</a></td>
<td>1</td>
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</tbody>
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https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2016/5/8/11635354/barcelona-espanyol-2016-la-liga-match-review-recapRenato Gonçalves2016-05-08T18:48:31+02:002016-05-08T18:48:31+02:00Barça destroy Espanyol, get closer to title
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-QGrxYo_jOljdLxcMdv1D6LrWGs=/0x0:2992x1995/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49546229/GettyImages-529161344.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Alex Caparros/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Barcelona</a> is now just three points away from the <i>La Liga</i> title after a great 5-0 victory at Camp Nou in the Catalan derby against Espanyol, thanks to goals from <span>Lionel Messi</span>, Luis Suárez (2), Rafinha Alcântara and Neymar. In a difficult battle against a physical rival, the <i>Blaugrana</i> were patient and played a strong collective game, and the talents came through at the right time to earn Barça a giant victory in the title race.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>FIRST HALF</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">From the first minute, the scenario was set: the <i>Periquitos</i> would lock their box and defend with a parked bus, and it would take a patient approach from the <i>Blaugrana</i> to break it. Unless you have the best player in the world, and Lionel Messi quickly unlocked <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/espanyol" class="sbn-auto-link">Espanyol's</a> defense with a sensational free-kick to the top corner.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">With the advantage, the Catalans did not stop attacking, and continued to use possession well to find spaces against the tough defense in front of them. As expected, Espanyol were very physical and tried to anger the <i>Blaugrana</i> with hard fouls, but they never lost composure and continued to dominate, while Espanyol offered no danger to Barça's defense.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">At halftime, a good overall performance from the league leaders, but a tiny lead that needed to increase to avoid any problems in the second half.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>SECOND HALF</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Barça started the final period with real purpose to get more goals, and pressured the visitors even more. It worked after just seven minutes, when <span>Dani Alves</span> stole a ball, Messi found Suárez alone in the box, and the top scorer in the league added to his tally to give Barça the second. Ten minutes later, the Uruguayan was in the receiving end of a perfect corner-kick from Neymar, and easily headed home to score his second, and Barça's third.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The show was not over, and after talking a lot of trash before the game, Espanyol goalkeeper Pau López ate his words with a terrible mistake that gifted Rafinha Alcântara a goal and increased Barça's blowout. There was time for more, as Suárez set up Neymar for an easy goal and the <i>Blaugrana</i>'s fifth, putting all 'MSN' trio members on the board.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In the end, a sensational victory, a dominant performance and the first hand on the league trophy.</p>
<p align="center"><img style="border: 5px solid white;" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg"></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Barcelona</b>: Ter Stegen | Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Alba (Mathieu) | Busquets, Rakitic (Rafinha), Iniesta (Arda) | Messi, Suárez, Neymar</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Goals: <i>Messi (8'), Suárez (52', 61'), Rafinha (74'), Neymar (83')</i></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Espanyol</b>: Pau López | López, Roco, Duarte, Álvarez | Sánchez, Cañas, Diop | Pérez (Róber), Caicedo (Moreno), Asensio</p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2016/5/8/11634672/barcelona-espanyol-2016-la-liga-instant-recap-final-scoreRenato Gonçalves2016-05-08T18:44:02+02:002016-05-08T18:44:02+02:00Alves, Suarez, and Neymar combine for great goal
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<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/bbj9" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen scrolling="no" style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
<p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/4if8a2/neymar_goal_vs_espanyol_50/">via r/Soccer</a></p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> are turning back the clock with a little tiki-taka today. <span>Dani Alves</span>' scoop pass over the top of the defense found Luis Suarez who laid a pass across goal to Neymar who tucked home a goal into an empty net to make it 5-0 to Barcelona on the day. The Blaugrana are one match away from winning La Liga once again.</p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2016/5/8/11635062/alves-suarez-and-neymar-combine-for-classic-barcelona-masterpieceRob Usry2016-05-08T18:21:55+02:002016-05-08T18:21:55+02:00Suarez's second matches Ronaldo
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<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/k2qg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen scrolling="no" style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
<p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/4if520/luis_suarez_second_goal_vs_espanyol_30/">via r/Soccer</a></p>
<p><span>Cristiano Ronaldo</span> and Luis Suarez have been battling it out all season for the Pichichi. Ronaldo has two goals so far today as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/">Real Madrid</a> are winning, but now Luis Suarez has a brace of his own to keep hold of his lead atop the goal scoring race. There's still nearly half of an hour left for Luisito to complete his hat trick.</p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2016/5/8/11635010/luis-suarez-keeps-pace-with-cristiano-ronaldo-with-his-own-braceRob Usry2016-05-08T18:12:08+02:002016-05-08T18:12:08+02:00Suarez makes it 2-0
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<figcaption>Alex Caparros/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/bukk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen scrolling="no" style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
<p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/4if3rj/luis_suarez_goal_vs_espanyol_20/">via r/Soccer</a></p>
<p>Luis Suarez has made it 2-0 to Barcelona over <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/espanyol">Espanyol</a>. A huge goal in the title race and all but assures <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona's</a> place at the top of the table. It's Suarez's 36th goal of the season.</p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2016/5/8/11634984/luis-suarezs-36th-goal-of-the-season-doubles-barcelonas-lead-againstRob Usry2016-05-08T17:13:59+02:002016-05-08T17:13:59+02:00Messi's free kick gives Barcelona the lead
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<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en">
<p lang="nl" dir="ltr">Gooooaaaal!! Messi met een heerlijke vrije trap en <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> op 1-0 tegen <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/espanyol">Espanyol</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/baresp?src=hash">#baresp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZiggoSport?src=hash">#ZiggoSport</a> <a href="https://t.co/4p7nxPaCVL">pic.twitter.com/4p7nxPaCVL</a></p>— Ziggo Sport Totaal (@ZiggoSport) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZiggoSport/status/729327631829749760">May 8, 2016</a>
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<p><span>Lionel Messi</span> has given Barcelona an early lead over Espanyol with this free kick. In the penultimate match of the season, Barcelona need to win to keep their grasp on the league title. Messi has done his part, now it's time for the rest of his teammates to keep the lead.</p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2016/5/8/11634826/lionel-messi-clutch-free-kick-gives-barcelona-tight-grasp-on-la-ligaRob Usry2016-05-08T16:00:24+02:002016-05-08T16:00:24+02:00Barça vs Espanyol: Lineups & Live Thread
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<figcaption>Alex Caparros/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Live thread with confirmed lineups for Barcelona's La Liga match against Espanyol</p> <p> </p>
<div style="text-align: center;">La Liga: Jornada 37</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Kickoff: Sunday, 8 May 2016, 17:00 CET</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano</div>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"><img style="border: 5px solid white;" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg"></p>
<p><b>Barcelona Starting Lineup (4-3-3)</b></p>
<p>1. Marc- André ter Stegen | 6. Dani Alves, 3. Gerard Piqué, 14. Javier Mascherano, 18. Jordi Alba | 5. Sergio Busquets, 4. Ivan Rakitic, 8. Andrés Iniesta | 10. Lionel Messi, 9. Luis Suárez, 11. Neymar Jr.</p>
<p>Subsitutes: Masip, Mathieu, Vidal, Roberto, Arda, Rafinha, Munir</p>
<p>Coach: Luis Enrique</p>
<p align="center"><img style="border: 5px solid white;" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg"></p>
<p><b>Espanyol Starting Lineup (4-3-3)</b></p>
<p>13. Paul López | 16. Javi López, 6. Enzo Roco, 3. Rúben Duarte, 5. Victor Álvarez | 14. Cãnas, 4. Victor Sánchez, 12. Pape Diop | 17. Hernán Pérez, 20. Felipe Caicedo, 25. Marco Asensio</p>
<p>Substitutes: Arlauskis, Correa, Moreno, Salva Sevilla, Paco Montañés, Joan Jordán, Lluís</p>
<p>Coach: Constatin Galca</p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" style="border: 5px solid white;"></p>
<p>Please keep the thread fun and respectful. We're here to watch football, not to hate people. Offensive comments will be banned. Have a great game!</p>
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2016/5/8/11634610/barcelona-espanyol-2016-la-liga-confirmed-lineupsRenato Gonçalves