Barcelona maintained their perfect start to the season with an emphatic home win over Eibar at Camp Nou on Wednesday night. Argentine superstar Lionel Messi was responsible for this big win as he scored four goals to give the Catalan giants the win in front of their 51,645 home crowd. The other goalscorers for Barcelona were Denis Suarez and Paulinho, while Sergi Enrich scored for the visitors. The victory means Barca is on top with fifteen points -- five ahead of second-placed Sevilla -- while Eibar is thirteenth with just six points. Here is a recap of the match.
Barcelona outlook
Starting XI and individual performance points: Goalkeeper - Marc-André ter Stegen (seven points). Defender - Nélson Semedo (7.89), Javier Mascherano (7.10), Gerard Piqué (seven points), Lucas Digne (7.20). Midfielder - Paulinho (8.59), Sergio Busquets (six points), Andrés Iniesta (6.57). Forward - Gerard Deulofeu (7.38), Lionel Messi (10.00), Denis Suárez (8.39). Used substitutes - Ivan Rakitic (6.15), Sergi Roberto (six points), Aleix Vidal (6.73).
Team's strength and weakness: Ernesto Valverde's men created goal bound chances through individual efforts and from counter attacks. They were strong at converting their chances.
Style of play: Barcelona largely launched attacks through the center midfield.
Eibar outlook
Starting XI and individual performance points: Goalkeeper - Marko Dmitrovic (6.35). Defender - Anaitz Arbilla (5.87), Paulo Oliveira (5.77), Alejandro Gálvez (5.20), David Juncà (6.44). Midfielder - Gonzalo Escalante (6.22), Dani García (5.45), Ander Capa (five points), Joan Jordán (six points), Takashi Inui (5.65).
Forward - Sergi Enrich (6.90), Charles (6.38). Used substitutes - Cristian Rivera (six points), Rubén Peña (6.44).
Team's strength and weakness: Eibar created the high number of opportunities relative to their possession, but they were more defensive.
Style of play: José Luis Mendilibar's side had high shot frequency when in possession
Man of the Match
No doubt, Lionel Messi was the Man of the Match.
Messi once again enjoyed an impressive run of form in front goal as he single-handedly sank Eibar. The Argentina international scored four goals and completed a total of sixty-five touches.
Both teams' Week 6 fixtures
Barcelona will take on Girona on the road on Saturday, September 23. A day later, Eibar will play hosts to Celta Vigo.
