Sergi Roberto: leading by example and grabbing goals

Blaugrana captain Sergi Roberto played a key role when FC Barcelona beat Almeria (3-2). Starting the game and playing the full 90 minutes, his brace helped to earn three much-needed points in the final LaLiga game of the year. In fact, Xavi Hernández chose to highlight the midfielder's great contribution in the post-match conference, stating “He is tremendous captain whether or not he plays. I am very happy for him”. He also considers him “an example” in the dressing room.

The Catalan's return has proved vital. Sergi Roberto picked up an injury in mid-October and wasn't able to feature again until the Champions League game against Porto on 28 November. However, he played his first few minutes back against Royal Antwerp, with the game against Almeria his second since the injury, and first as a starter since the matchday 3 game against Villarreal.

In goalscoring form

Sergi Roberto is in great goalscoring form - the Catalan has scored three goals in the eight games he has featured this season - and he is only one goal away from his best ever goalscoring season, namely last season when he scored four in 33 games. The second blaugrana goal of the night and Sergi Roberto's first came from a corner, which the captain nodded in, the first headed goal of his career. He could have even scored a hat-trick towards the end of the game, but his shot hit the bar.