Luis Suárez back on target

Barça got a point in Balaídos, but they really needed all three. And although 2-2 was not the result that was needed, we were at least treated to the positive sight of Luis Suárez finding his goalscoring touch with two goals. 175 days after it last happened, and on both occasions assisted by Leo Messi.

Since scoring away to Espanyol on January 4, the Uruguayan has endured a long period out through injury followed by the Covid-19 crisis. But despite those six months without football, he now has 13 goals this season, putting him third in the overall table.

He’s also scored three in the Champions League, taking his total for the club up to 193, just one fewer than Kubala, Barça’s third highest goalscorer ever.

Suárez had played at Balaídos three times in the past and had never scored in the Galician stadium. He won’t be happy with the eventual outcome today, but at least he has laid that ‘curse’ to bed.

250th assist for Messi

Also registering a brace today, in his case in assists, was Leo Messi. This season, the Argentinian has 21 goals and 17 assists in all competitions – quite some tally. The two today means he has now given a quite extraordinary 250 assists in a Barça shirt. Such a shame that today’s two couldn’t have delivered any more than a point to count towards the tight title chase.